BLAKE, Shirley Joan (Wells) - b. September 25, 1934 - d. September 2, 2022

[patyrn]

Shirley Joan Blake, twelfth of twelve born to Mary Ann (Richards) and John J. Wells at their family farm outside of Howard, Kansas, arrived September 25, 1934.  She passed away on September 2, 2022 at her home in Laramie, Wyoming, surrounded by her children into the outstretched arms of her late, loving husband.

Shirley grew up in rural Elk County, Kansaas attending Fairview School a one-room schoolhouse which she and her husband later purchased as a vacation getaway.  She graduated from Howard High School in 1951.  She met the love of her life, Earl Forrest Blake at a dance, and they were married August 28, 1953 in Howard.  They eventually settled in Dodge City, Kansas where they had a huge garden and constant stream of visitors. 

Once her children were grown and self-sufficient, Shirley spent years traveling Kansas and the United States with her husband in his work as an installer with Western Electric.  She loved people and was happiest in the service of others.  She could be found happily gardening, playing cards, laughing, loving, teasing, cooking, baking, sewing, knitting, and crocheting, always having one or more projects underway.  She loved gifting her plant cuttings, baked goods, and handiwork, and she eagerly passed on her vast knowledge serving as a Ford County 4-H Fair judge while also winning many blue and purple ribbons herself and teaching knitting and crocheting.

Shirley is survived by her children, Kathy Sue Evans; Cindy Jo Ann (Max) Hammer, and Randall Forrest "Randy" (Linda) Blake; her brother, Virgil Glen Wells; her granddaughter, Leslie Hammer; her grandsons, Aaron (Jill) Evans, Timothy (Tina) Evans, Benjamin Evans, Joshua (Rozlyn) Williamson, Alexander (Kristel) Blake, and Dominic Blake; and legions of nieces, nephews, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Mary Wells; ten siblings, Eula Marie Malone, Hazel Olive Hillis, Mary Lucile Vick, Dorothy Elizabeth Crumrine-Coleman, John Cleland Wells, Wilbert Stanley Wells, Wanda Annette Joy, Neva Jean Linden, Helen Louise Hastings, and Robert Louis Wells; her son-in-law, Chuck Evans; and her grandson, Nicholas Terry Blake.

A Celebration of Life service, officiated by Pastor Steve Salmons, was held at Montgomery-Stryker Funeral Home in Laramie, Wyoming with a reception following at Cornerstone Baptist Church.  Inurnment and a Life Celebration will also be held at Grace Lawn Cemetery in Howard, Kansas on Saturday, October 1, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. with a reception to follow in the Cox Building in downtown Howard.  The family has suggested donations in her memory be made to Hospice of Laramie or to your local Hospice.

(taken from the Montgomery-Stryker Funeral Home website)