Shirley Joan Berentz, a longtime resident of Eureka, Kansas, passed away Friday evening, January 4, 2019, at the Greenwood County Hospital in Eureka. She was 91 years of age.

Shirley was born on September 25, 1927, in Lawrence, Kansas, the first child of Charles and Claribel Stewart. Her first home was on the ranch her great grandparents homesteaded outside of Lawrence. Younger siblings Curtis, Margie and Dale were later born and completed the family.

Shirley graduated from Tonganoxie High School in 1945. After graduating she studied at the University of Kansas, Chillicothe Business College in Chillicothe, Missouri, worked for Alf Landon and the Lawrence Journal World.

On December 25, 1947, Shirley was united in marriage to Jack Berentz. They had three daughters, Barbara, Kathy and Kim. Shirley made her life taking care of her family and helping Jack in the oil business. They were married 69 years before Jack's passing in September 2017.

Shirley is survived by her daughters: Barbara and husband Kevin Hough of Eureka, KS; Kathy and husband Darrel Walters of Wichita, KS; and Kim Mickelson of Bartlesville, OK. Her grandchildren: Patrick Hough and Brittan McClanahan of El Dorado, KS; Sara and Brook Mitchell of Eureka, KS; Mollie and Dustin Brooks of Bartlesville, OK; Matthew and Jenni Mickelson of Edmond, OK; and Drew Walters and Megan Chevalier of Wichita, KS. She leaves behind eleven great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings and her beloved husband Jack.

Faith and family were mainstays in Shirley's life. She had a quiet, steady strength that guided her family through good times and bad. She was blessed with many wonderful, lifelong friendships over the years. She is remembered for the kind notes she would write to friends and family and for her generous spirit, which toughed countless people. Shirley never met a stranger. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends and will live on in their hearts and minds forever.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, January 10, 2019 at 11:00am at the First United Methodist Church in Eureka, KS. Burial will be in the Greenwood Cemetery, Eureka. Contributions can be made to the Greenwood County Hospital or the First United Methodist Church, a may be sent in care of Campbell Funeral Home, P.O. Box 188, Yates Center, KS 66783.