Shirley Maxine Knollenberg

Family and friends mourn the loss of Mrs. Shirley Maxine Knollenberg , 92, Lawrence, KS, who departed this life peacefully with family by her side on January 13, 2016 at The Arbor at Brandon Woods. The family will greet friends on Monday, January 18, 5-7 p.m. at Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, January 19 at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 2700 Lawrence Avenue, Lawrence, KS. Burial will be at a later date at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, MN, where she will be laid to rest alongside her adoring husband Victor Frank Knollenberg.

The youngest of five, Shirley was born in Wichita, KS to Andrew T. and Flossie (Davidson) Stires. She grew up in Wichita and graduated from Wichita High School East and then worked as a transcriptionist at Wesley Hospital until she married Victor in 1946. Married in Mission, KS, they moved to Minnesota where they had their five children.

Shirley was gentle but strong, quiet but joyful. She had a firm faith in the triune God, and was very involved in her Wichita church, Ascension Lutheran. She sang in the choir, quilted with the Dorcas Circle, was church librarian for many years, helped create beautiful banners for the sanctuary, helped with Midweek Meals, was active with the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, and enjoyed regular Bible studies. Outside of church she enjoyed listening to music, reading, walking, sewing, quilting, travelling, and spending time with her children and grandchildren. She was fearless and fun, and fulfilled her dream of riding in a hot air balloon when she was 85! Her family was second only to God, and they were richly blessed by her love and gentleness. She attended every family event she possibly could, from Little League games to high school graduations and everything in between. Shirley was a much-beloved wife, mother, and grandmother.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings, her son-in-law Steve Warren, and her loving husband Victor. She is survived by her children: Candace Beckel(Tom) of Kasota, MN; Dale(Ann) of Victor, MT; Vicki Warren of Boulder, CO; Marcia Dickerson(Wayne) of Lawrence, KS; and Janet Pennybaker(Kent) of Lawrence, KS. She is also survived by her grandchildren Tricia Schneider, Michael Phillips, Paul Phillips(Beth), Matt Beckel(Mandi), Erin Roske-Jones, Atherly Pennybaker, and Austin Pennybaker; and her great-grandchildren Graham Schneider, Madelyn Phillips, Isaac Phillips, and Elana Beckel.

Memorials may be made in Shirley’s name to Redeemer Lutheran Church(Lawrence), Ascension Lutheran Church(Wichita), The Arbor at Brandon Woods(Lawrence), or the Alzheimer’s Association, and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13^th St., Lawrence, KS 66044.