Shirley Mae Kraft, 84, of rural Gridley, Kansas, passed away peacefully on Monday, April 29, 2019, at her home.

Shirley was born March 30, 1935, on the family farm west of Burlington, the daughter of Winfield M. and Ida Lois (Chrisman) Allen.  She grew up on the farm and attended Stone rural school. When she was 13 years old, the family moved into Burlington, and she graduated from Burlington High School in the Class of 1953.

On January 31, 1954, she and Arnold Eugene Kraft were married at the Burlington United Methodist Church. To this union two sons were born, Randy and Tom.

Shirley was a mom and homemaker, and ran the books for the family business, Kraft Oil Company.  In her spare time, she enjoyed golfing, fishing farm ponds, and making an occasional trip to the casino.  She had been a quilter in earlier years, and she kept a beautiful garden of flowers and rose bushes. The great joy of her life was her family.  She relished their get-togethers, and keeping up with her boys, grandkids and great-grands.

Shirley and Arnold were longtime members of the Gridley United Methodist Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Winnie and Lois Allen;  her husband, Arnold Kraft on July 8, 2017;  her grandson Tyler Thomas Kraft, on December 9, 2017;  and by four of her brothers - Paul, Dale, Robert and J.D. Allen.

She leaves her sons, Randy Kraft and wife Cheri, of Basehor, and Tom Kraft and wife Mary Sue, of Gridley; a brother, Daniel Allen and wife Linda of Burlington;  granddaughter Kandee Prieb of Canton;  grandson Justin Kraft and wife Kelsey of Burlington;  six great-grandchildren, Katy and Wesley Prieb, Landon, Alex, and Maverick Kraft, and Ryker Kraft; and many other relatives and dear friends.

Memorial services will be held 10:30 AM on Friday, May 3, 2019, at the Gridley United Methodist Church. Inurnment will follow in Gridley Cemetery.

The family will meet with friends from 7:00 to 8:00 PM on Thursday at Jones Funeral Home in Burlington.

Memorial contributions to "Gridley United Methodist Church" may be sent in care of  Jones Funeral Home, PO Box 277, Burlington KS 66839.