The world lost a tremendous lady on Thursday, February 4, 2016, as Shirley Anne (Hall) Windhorst (87) lost her months-long battle with cancer. Surrounded by her family and many people who loved her, Shirley passed peacefully into the arms of the Lord.

Shirley was born December 3, 1928 in Beloit, KS to Helen and Albert Hall. Shirley attended Belleville High School and graduated from Marymount College in Salina where she studied music and excelled in piano performance. Shirley earned a master's degree in speech and theatre from Kansas State University. Shirley married the love of her life, Alan Windhorst, on June 11, 1951. The couple spent 43 years in Wells, Kansas raising their three children and enjoying life on their cattle farm.

Shirley's specialty was spreading love, joy, and laughter. A true creative soul, Shirley loved to play the piano, paint, dance, act, direct, read, write, and teach. Shirley's passion touched many students, friends, and community members in the area surrounding Minneapolis, KS throughout her 22 years as a distinguished high school English teacher and theatre director. Shirley's excitement for the arts and entertainment continued into her Arizona retirement, where she directed and acted in many community theatre productions and won numerous awards for her performances.

Above all else, Shirley's greatest pride was the beautiful family she and husband Alan created and nurtured throughout their 64 years together. One can only hope to have lived a life so full of energy, creativity, love and zest as did Shirley Windhorst. She is deeply loved and cherished by her family and friends and will live on in their hearts and memories.

Shirley is survived by her husband Alan Windhorst, daughter Alana Smith, sons Dave and Dana Windhorst, and brother Jack Hall. Shirley is also survived by her six grandchildren: Tricia, Lauran, and Alexa Smith and Andy, Aaron, and Abby Windhorst. Shirley is survived by daughter-in-law Lissa Cramer Windhorst, son-in-law Daniel Smith, grand-daughters-in-law Lauren Windhorst and Christina Windhorst, and great-grandsons Landon and William Windhorst.

There will be celebrations of Shirley's life throughout the weekend. Visitation is scheduled for Sunday, February 7 at 5:00pm at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Minneapolis, KS. Please come and share your favorite stories and memories of Shirley. A Rosary will follow at 7:00pm. Mass of Christian Burial is Monday, February 8 at 11:00am also at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.

Shirley requested that, in lieu of flowers, memorials be given to the Sisters of St. Joseph in Concordia, KS or the Fine Arts Scholarship at Minneapolis High School.