Shirley Emaline Mueller

Shirley Emaline Smith Mueller was born on September 9, 1917 to Arthur Raymond Smith and Renia Avis Hollar Smith in Hamilton, Kansas. She passed away in Lee’s Summit, Missouri on August 18, 2017. Visitation will be Friday, August 25th from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Presentation Catholic Church (130 NW Murray Road, Lee’s Summit, Missouri) followed by Mass. Burial will be held following the mass at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Kansas City, Missouri.

Shirley attended a one room schoolhouse from 1st through 8th grade. She graduated from Basehor Kansas High School in 1935. Throughout her school years she was an active member of the Methodist Church and participated in 4-H programs. Following high school she attended Huff Business College in Kansas City, Missouri. Upon completion of this program she began her career at United Motor Services where she would meet her husband, Joseph Herman Mueller (deceased).

Shirley and Joseph married on July 20, 1940 at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church in Kansas City, Missouri. They were married for 72 years and had seven children. They loved spending time with family and friends. For over 50 years they were part of two social groups that met for dinner monthly, organized countless family gatherings in both Missouri and Minnesota, and enjoyed traveling in their camper taking in the beauty and majesty of our country. They were always proud to share that throughout their travels with relatives and friends they were able to spend time in each of the 50 states.

Shirley and Joe were members of St. Michael Archangel Catholic Church until 1977. While members of this parish, Shirley was an active member of the Ladies Altar Society, the St. Michael’s Grade School PTA (where her children attended school) and the bowling league. In 1977 they moved to Lee’s Summit, Missouri and became members of Our Lady of Presentation Catholic Church. In this parish Shirley served as a Eucharistic Minister and an officer of the St. Joseph’s Guild. Shirley also greatly enjoyed participating in the gardening beautification program in the parish, as gardening was always a hobby she loved.

Shirley is preceded in death by: her husband (Joseph), her parents (Arthur and Renia), siblings (Wallace, Oliver and Myrle), son (Stephen), daughter (Sondra Sue) and lifetime friends Joe and Florence Blum.

Shirley is survived by: siblings: Jessie (Harold, deceased) and Rosalee (Dolan, deceased, Paul); children: Raymond (Carole) Mueller, Shirley Ann Snider, daughter-in-law Georgia Mueller, Ronald Mueller, Regina (Joe) Gonzalez and Roberta (Rick) Boitnott, 19 grandchildren, and 15 great grandchildren.

The family wishes to thank the caregivers of John Knox Village and Village Hospice for their compassionate care for Shirley. Please offer condolences at www.mcgilleystatelinechapel.com.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Catholic Charities, 850 Main St., Kansas City, MO 64105.