Florence Helen Shields

Florence Helen Shields, age 90, of Garnett, Kansas passed away on Wednesday, May 9, 2012, at her home. She was born on March 6, 1922, at Ellsworth, Kansas, the daughter of Christopher and Catherine (Pickert) Hermreck. Her family moved to the Scipio, Kansas area when she was a young girl. She attended country school at Scipio. Florence moved to Elgin, Illinois to help an aunt and to find work. She worked for several years at the Elgin Watch Factory until her marriage. Florence was united in marriage to Raymond Shields on October 30, 1954, in Elgin, Illinois. This union was blessed with seven children. Raymond passed away on May 23, 1964. Following his death, Florence and her family returned to Kansas, living in Garnett, where she was a member of Holy Angels Catholic Church and served on the Altar Society for many years. Florence enjoyed gardening, game shows, word search puzzles, bowling, and good conversation. Faith and family were the two most important things in her life. Florence was loved by many and her kind and loving soul will be dearly missed. Florence was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Raymond Shields; five sisters, Maureen Walsh, Doris Smith, Rita Osler, Joan Kramer, and infant sister Catherine; and two brothers, Leonard and Eugene Hermreck. She is survived by four sons, Bill Shields and wife Karol of Austin, Texas; John Shields of Garnett, Kansas; Mike Shields and wife Kathy of Manhattan, Kansas; Norm Shields and Debbie Rockers of Greeley, Kansas; three daughters, Rita Skillman and husband Rick of Garnett; Kathy Spencer and husband Larry of Belton, Missouri; Laurie Marmon and husband Pat of Garnett; four brothers, Omer Hermreck of Garnett; Norman Hermreck and wife Jeanne of Temecula, California; Herby Hermreck and wife Claire of Temecula, California; Henry Hermreck and wife Peggy of Overland Park, Kansas; eight grandchildren; Matt and Wes Skillman; Ryan and Valerie Spencer; Kyle, Aaron and Marcus Marmon, and Kayla Shields. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 12, 2012 at Holy Angels Catholic Church, Garnett. The family will greet friends following the Rosary at 7:00 PM, Friday evening at the funeral home in Garnett. Florence will be buried in Mount Hope Cemetery, Elgin, Illinois, next to her husband. Memorial contributions may be made to the Florence Shields memorial fund.