Shirley Anne Lawrence

Shirley A. Lawrence, 73, formerly of Marysville, KS, died Thursday, September 25, 2008, at "The Windsor of Lawrence" in Lawrence, KS. A funeral mass was held Saturday, October 4, 11:00 a.m., at St. Gregory's Catholic Church in Marysville. Father Anthony Putti and Steve Livingston officiated. The rosary was prayed Friday, October 3, 7:00 p.m., at the church. Bob Welch played the organ while John Livingston and Larry Livingston served as cantors. The music selections included "Be Not Afraid", "Amazing Grace" and "You Are Mine". Pallbearers were Matt Mead, Joe Stangle, Jerry Smith, Bryce Bauer, Jim Nork, Robert Smith, Brendon Lawrence and Alex Lawrence. Burial was in the church cemetery. Shirley was born February 3, 1935, in Marysville, the daughter of Nils and Anna (Rickson) Nork. She graduated from Marysville High School in 1953 and attended Mount St. Scholastica in Atchison. She then moved to Topeka and worked as a private secretary for Blue Cross Blue Shield. On September 19, 1959, she married Robert Lawrence in Topeka, KS. Over the next 20 years she moved many times with her husband, Lt. Col. Robert Lawrence, during his military career with the U.S. Air Force. On September 6, 1991, he preceded her in death. After her husband's death she moved back to Marysville, living there until she moved to Topeka in 2003. Shirley was an avid reader. She also enjoyed travelling, history, documentaries and bowling. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Robert; and one sister, Mary Louise Gaston. Survivors include her five daughters, Roberta Mead and husband Joe Stangle of Evans, CO, Patricia Bauer and husband Bart of Bentonville, AR, Laura Lawrence and husband Larry Griffiths of Topeka, Mary Smith and husband Jerry of Greeley, CO, and Christine Bates and husband Dave of San Diego, CA; two brothers, Jim Nork of Marysville, and Jack Nork of Topeka; one sister, Marjorie Livingston of Topeka; fourteen grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. A memorial fund has been designated to St. Gregory's Catholic Church. Contributions may be sent in care of Kinsley Mortuary, Marysville. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Shirley Anne Lawrence, please visit our flower store.