Shirley Ann (Gore) Ernzen, 88, passed away October 31, 2024, at home surrounded by her loving family.
Mass of Christian burial will be on Thursday, November 7, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Church with Rev. Luke Turner, OSB as celebrant. A rosary will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, with visitation to follow until time of the mass at the church. She will be laid to rest in the St. Patrick’s Cemetery. Memorials may be left to the St. Patrick’s Cemetery in care of the Arensberg-Pruett Funeral Home with whom funeral care has been entrusted.
Shirley was born on January 4, 1936, to Mitchell and Evelyn (Nottingham) Gore, in Flora, Illinois. She grew up in Monrovia, Kansas, where her parents had a small grocery store that Shirley worked in from age 8-16 and found out she loved candy! She attended ACCHS and began her college education at Washburn, which she continued at Mount St. Scholastica until she married Daniel Thomas Ernzen on June 7, 1954, at St. Patrick’s Church. They made their home in the little village of Potter, Kansas, where they raised their four children: Debra, Yvonne, Suzanne and Michael.
Shirley was very active in her children’s lives, guiding them and loving them and continued her college education while raising her four children. During their marriage, Shirley and Dan farmed together, and also had their own private business ventures, which included Avon, Amway and World Book. After her children were grown, she was employed at Benedictine College in Student Aid, the United States Department of Immigration and assisting prisoners with Congressional Inquiries at the United States Disciplinary Barracks in Fort Leavenworth. Shirley also obtained her real estate license and sold real estate for several years. In 2003, she fulfilled her dream of opening The Rose Cottage on the farm and also assisted her son Michael in his car dealership.
Shirley was an avid reader and kept herself informed on many topics, with a special emphasis in global affairs. Even though her eyesight waned in her later years, she stayed abreast of politics and our world. Shirley enjoyed all music, but in her later years her affinity went to Dean Martin because he reminded her of her Dan. Shirley was very famous for not following the rules when playing competitive games with her family, which kept everyone thoroughly entertained. The Save the Children campaign was very near and dear to her heart.
She is survived by her son, Michael Ernzen, of the home; her three daughters and their husbands: Debra and John Forbes, Atchison, KS; Yvonne Ernzen and Timothy Arehart, Olathe, KS; and Suzanne and Kevin Doehring, Liberty, MO.
She is also survived by nine grandchildren and their spouses: Nicole Forbes and Nick Hamill; Joseph Forbes; Daniel Forbes; Zachary Arehart; Natalie Arehart and Brad Mawyer; Grace Arehart and Conner Jonson; BreeAnne Doehring and Andy Fu; Brenna Doehring Wade and Taylor Wade; and Elijah Ernzen. Shirley continued to be blessed and had five great grandchildren: Hazel Hamill (5), Felix Fu (1), Colin Hamill (1), Hattie Arehart-Mawyer (1) and Baby Delilah Wade, seven months. Shirley is also survived by her favorite sister, Virginia Blackman, Klamath, Falls, OR.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Daniel on August 8, 1993, her loving parents Mitchell and Evelyn Gore and her other favorite sister, Mary Jane Ellerman.
Shirley was extremely grateful for the care she received from her family and Amberwell Hospice Care.
