Shirlee Hazen Muir

Shirlee Hazen Muir, Stockton, passed away on Thursday, April 18, 2024, at Via Christi Senior Home in Hays, at the age of 89.

Shirlee was born to Duane and Fauna (Harwood) Hazen on January 7, 1935, on a farm south of Stockton. In 1938-39, they moved to a farm northwest of Stockton, where Shirlee spent her childhood. She attended High Hill School for 1st – 4th grades, then Mt. Nebo through 8th grade. She graduated from Stockton High School in 1953.

She was active in 4-H while growing up, with many an escapade raising bottle baby sheep. In high school, she was active in FHA, Kayettes, Band, Glee Club, and Pep Club. The summer after graduation, Shirlee worked at Peebles Drug Store in Stockton, where she met Erle Muir, a young man just out of college. Erle and Shirlee’s first date was on May 30th, and they were engaged on August 14th. When she showed her dad the engagement ring, he said, “I thought you were going to college.” She replied, “Yes, I am.” She kept her word and went for two weeks. In September, Erle and Fauna went to move her home. Erle and Shirlee were married on October 25, 1953.

Five children were born to this union: Royce (Becky) Muir, Verl (Ruthie) Muir, Cindy Evans (Tim Browder), Susan (Axel) Thoman, and Sharon Russ. She had nine grandchildren: Kelly (Anna) Muir, Andy (Amber) Muir, Whitney (Shaun) Fuller, Bryant (Danielle) Muir, Sam (Paige) Thoman, Ben (Jenny) Thoman, Alex (fiancé Emily) Evans, Taylor (David) Ghumm, and Cody (Madi) Russ.

Seventeen great-grandchildren brought Shirlee much joy. She hosted an annual Christmas tea with the greats just before turning on the Christmas lights for the season. She tried to attend as many events as possible that involved these children. Brin, Damon, Hudson Muir, Grace Towne, Lyla and Locke Fuller, Remy, Norah and Owen Muir, Maya Thoman, Conrad and Maverick Thoman, Waylon, Wyatt, Walker and Mayzi Ghumm and Bayler and Lincoln Russ.

Other beloved family members with whom Shirlee shared special bonds were her brother and sister-in-law, Lewis and Janice Muir, and their children Stephanie Muir (daughters Abigail and Olivia) and Daniel (Allison) Muir and their children Dylan and Isaac. These family members traveled from New Mexico and Washington State many summers to be present at harvest.

Shirlee is preceded in death by her husband, Erle, and a son-in-law, Dick Evans.

Shirlee was active in the homemaker’s club, a leader for the Livewire 4-H Club, and helped in the junior church.
Shirlee loved to cook for her family and have them home for the holidays. She loved gardening and keeping up her yard. Shirlee had many good friends she enjoyed doing things with. Everyone thought she was crazy to get up and go to coffee at 7:30 a.m. Monday through Saturday. People just don’t know how many problems they solved! It could have been a matter of opinion. Ha!

Shirlee and Erle enjoyed traveling. They went on many trips across the US and Canada and enjoyed four trips to Australia as well as a trip to England. They also enjoyed watching the children and grandchildren play tennis, volleyball, football, basketball, wrestling, cheerleading and golf.

In later years, Shirlee and Joe Bellerive, who had also lost his spouse, would get together Monday through Friday for a couple of hours to play some kind of cards. It helped them both fill part of the afternoon.

Shirlee had a wonderful life loving her family and had a lot of good friends. One who was extra special was Nancy Muir, which she said was the sister she never had. Shirley Reed and Nancy were opponents for a competitive game of Mexican Train. They had a Saturday night group that would go out together until COVID hit. That changed a lot for them all.

Last year, Shirlee had a hip replacement followed by a fractured femur and another hip replacement. She was not able to return to independent living, so she lived at Via Christi in Hays from August to February, when she became strong enough to transition to the assisted living wing. She loved her apartment at Via, and it was a nice reward for the effort she made in rehab to make the move possible. Shirlee was happy at Via and created many special relationships with the staff and residents. Our family would also hear how much they loved her, and Shirlee would say she felt their love and good care.

When a sudden illness led to a fall and hospitalization, she returned to the Victoria section of Via for her final days. She was welcomed by the staff, who once again gave her their tender loving care. Our family is extremely grateful.

Shirlee’s family would like to say a special thank you to the many Stockton friends who took the time to visit Shirlee at the Downs Nursing Center and Via Christi. Your friendship was deeply appreciated by our mother and by us. You made her life meaningful at every stage and through every trial.

We have lost the most wonderful mom, grandma, great-grandma, sister-in-law, aunt, and friend one could ever hope for. If you knew her, you understand. Today, we give thanks to our Lord as she takes up residence in the Heavens Above. Thanks be to God.

Funeral services are planned for 11 a.m. on Monday, April 22, 2024, at Stockton Church of Restoration. The family will receive friends for visitation on Monday from 10 a.m. until service time at the church.

Memorials are encouraged to the Stockton Church of Restoration and Rooks County Free Fair and may be sent to Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 723 N. 1st St, Stockton, KS 67669.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.plumeroverlease.com.