Shirley Lee Diel

Memorial services for Shirley Lee Diel, 80, Lawrence will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, February 20, 2015 at Plymouth Congregational Church. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery. She passed away Saturday, February 7, 2015 at Aldersgate Village in Topeka.

Shirley was born December 9, 1934 in Walnut, KS the daughter of Herman “Harry” and Floy I. (Vance) Dumler. Shirley later moved to Scott City, KS where she would grow up and graduate from Scott City High School. She excelled in tennis and was a mixed doubles champion for her high school. She would take her tennis talent to Fort Hays State where she attended college, but Shirley later left college to explore her true passion. Shirley attended cosmetology school to become a beautician. She worked for a short time in Wichita as a beautician before eventually moving to Lawrence.

She was a member of the Plymouth Congregational Church.

She owned and operated her own hair styling salon, Styles by Shirley, from 1960 until 2009. Shirley never knew a stranger. Many patrons entered her shop over the years and she considered each of them a friend.

She married Tillman “Ted” E. Diel June 8, 1956 in Wichita, KS. He preceded her in death August 25, 1990. The couple moved to Lawrence where they resided and began their family.

Survivors include two sons, Tracy and wife, Sherry Diel, Todd and wife, Nancy Diel, five grandchildren, Blair, Allyssa, Maria, Lee Ensley and Noble; one sister Dorothy Geyer; and one brother William “Bill” K. Dumler.

Family will host a “Celebration of Life” gathering at 317 Wagonwheel Rd, Lawrence at approximately 4:00 p.m., following burial.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her name to Grace Hospice of Topeka and the Alzheimer’s Association and may be sent in care of the mortuary.

1 Condolence

  1. Rick Durrant on February 16, 2015 at 12:09 pm

    Shirley was the neighbor we considered our second mom on the block, she was a wonderful person inside and out, May she rest in peace knowing she has left a great legacy behind I her children



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