Shirley Chase

Shirley Nelson Chase, 81, died February 15, 2012, with her family by her side in Iola, KS. She was born April 9, 1930 in Lake Andes, South Dakota to James and Lena Nichols. After graduating from East High in Sioux City, Iowa in 1948, she married Donald L. Nelson. As a cattle buyer, Don and Shirley made their homes in numerous communities where they were active members in the local church. Shirley enjoyed being a homemaker, cooking, knitting, sewing, and painting in her free time. After Don's death in 1991, Shirley married Richard Chase in 1994. They enjoyed traveling in their motor home, visiting friends and family. Shirley dedicated her life to God after attending the Walk To Emmaus weekend in Yuma, AZ. The couple lived in Iola, KS and wintered in Yuma, AZ. Surviving family members include her husband, Richard Chase, of the home; her daughter, Ellen Alcantar, Topeka, KS; and her son and daughter-in-law, Kyle and Sherry Nelson, Hays, KS; six grandchildren, Emily Schlansky & Melissa Wrench of Topeka, KS; Justin Nelson of Osceola, IA; Peyton Nelson, Hays, KS; Melanie Harshberger, Dodge City, KS; Aaron Nelson, Wichita, KS; and nine great-grandchildren. Three surviving sisters include Betty Cook of Cedar Rapids, IA; Glenda Kluver of Park Rapids, MN; and Cheryl Fisher of Toledo, OR. With her second marriage, Shirley gained five additional children, ten additional grandchildren and two additional great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Donald Nelson and a son, Michael Nelson. MEMORIAL SERVICE: 10:00 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012, at the First Presbyterian Church in Iola, KS. GRAVESIDE INURNMENT SERVICE: 3:00 p.m., Friday, Feb. 24, 2012, at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Independence, KS. MEMORIAL CHOICES: Allen County Hospice or First Presbyterian Church Memorial gifts may be left with the Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Memorial Chapel of Iola, which is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences for the family may be left on this website, www.iolafuneral.com .