Shirley Jean Niedens

Shirley J. Niedens of Shawnee, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, August 6, 2013 at her home surrounded by family. Visitation will be from 6-8 pm, Thursday, August 8th, at McGilley & Frye Funeral Home, 105 E. Loula St, Olathe, Kansas. Family Graveside Services will be at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Kansas City, Kansas.

Shirley was born Betty Jean Barnard on November 1, 1928 to Raymond Barnard and Myrtle Darlene Harmon and was later adopted by Albert and Thistle Sheriff. She chose a new name Shirley, after the popular Shirley Temple. Shirley married Wayne L. Niedens in 1946 and they had four daughters, Shirlayne Sue, Diana Marie, Cindy Lou and Tammy Lee.

Shirley was a hard worker and enjoyed a long professional career ranging from restaurateur to business owner/operator to purchasing agent at Shawnee Mission Medical Center. A long-standing member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Shirley was most recently a member of Chapel Oaks Church in Shawnee, Kansas. Shirley enjoyed entertaining family and friends, with her husband Wayne often preparing BBQ to accompany her world famous potato salad.

In 2011 Shirley was reunited with two brothers, Albert and Paul Palmer, after a 76-year separation that started when they were placed in foster homes and Betty (Shirley) was adopted in 1935. Despite several attempts to find each other over the years, technology and happenstance finally facilitated a connection. Shirley was pleased to learn she also had three other siblings, Hazel Wallace Mahon, Carol Kay Wallace and Dale Short.

Shirley was preceded in death by her husband Wayne, brother Al Sheriff and daughter Diana Norris.

She is survived by her brothers, Albert and Paul; half-sisters, Hazel and Carol Kay; half-brother, Dale; daughters, Shirlayne and husband Steve Kinser of Shawnee, Kansas, son-in-law Steve Norris of Broomfield, Colorado, Cindy and husband Daniel Snyder of Rio Vista, California, and Tammy and husband David Smith of Broomfield, Colorado; seven grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, and grand-nieces and nephews.

Condolences may be offered at www.McGilley-Frye.com