Shirley Jean Goetz, 80, of Higginsville, MO passed away peacefully in her sleep at her home on September 18, 2024 after a two-year battle with colon cancer.
She was born February 15, 1944 the ninth of ten children, to Charles Everett and Effie Christine (Gregory) Findley in Plattsburg, MO. Shirley graduated from Polo High School in 1962. She then went to work at Hallmark Cards in Kansas City, MO. On August 10, 1968 she married Edward Goetz at Zion Lutheran Church in Corder, MO. She quit her job at Hallmark to stay at home to be a wife and mother. Out of this marriage they were blessed with two children, Dennis and Donna. They later divorced in 1985. She then went to work at Lake City until her retirement in 2002. After retirement she cared for her youngest granddaughter, Tiffany until she was old enough to care for herself.
Shirley was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church. She enjoyed working in the yard, mowing, picking up sticks and raking leaves. She also enjoyed watching college basketball and professional football. Her favorite pastime was to play board games while listening to old records on the record player, especially Elvis and watching old cartoons on Saturday mornings with Tiffany.
In 2017, she was diagnosed with a massive brain tumor which was benign. Her full recovery time was a year. In 2022, she was diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer. She always had a positive attitude in her battle with cancer. She will be missed by everyone whose life she touched.
She was preceded in death by her parents; four sisters, Naomi, Norma, Mary Ann and Doris; two brothers, Charles Jr. and Donald.
Those who remain forever in her love, one son, Dennis (Kim) Goetz of Cole Camp; one daughter, Donna (John) Jungeblut of Higginsville; three granddaughters, Miranda Goetz of Cole Camp, Payton Goetz of Sedalia and Tiffany Jungeblut of Higginsville; step-grandchildren, Ryan, John and Abbey; eight step-great grandchildren; two brothers, Bill (Marilyn) Findley of Lawson, Jim Findley of Polo and one sister, Carol (Nick) Jenkins of Kearney, MO; many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends from 9: 00 AM – 10:00 AM on September 27, 2024 at Immanuel Lutheran Church located at 1500 Lipper Ave. Higginsville, MO. A funeral service will follow at 10:00 AM with burial in the City Cemetery. Memorials may be made out to Immanuel Lutheran School.
Funeral arrangements entrusted to Stewart-Hoefer Funeral Home and online condolences may be made to the family at www.stewarthoeferfuneralhome.com.