Shirley Sue Speer, 74, of rural Horton, Kansas was called home with her husband by her side on November 11, 2023 at the Holton Community Hospital.

Shirley was born on January 29, 1949 in St. Joseph, Missouri the daughter of Roy and Donna Smith. She had five brothers, Sidney, Sam, Steve, Dale and Roy Lee and five sisters, Eilene, Betty Ann, Barbara, Carolyn and Anita. Shirley lived all over Kansas and finally resided in Horton, Kansas. She obtained her G.E.D. in Highland.

Shirley met the love of her life, Kenneth Leroy Speer in 1967 while she was working at Atland Café in Horton, Kansas. They were united as one on October 1, 1967 at the Methodist Church. They had four children, Sheryl (Matt) Thummel, Shelley (Roy) Lowe, Marcia Speer and Sonya (Rodney) Latzke. Shirley retired after 25 years as a correctional Officer at the Lansing Correctional Facility. Shirley was a cancer survivor in June of 2018.

Shirley enjoyed cooking for family on the Holidays. She loved spending time with family, going to the lake and sitting on the deck, playing Fast Track and winning every time. She enjoyed rooting for the Chiefs. Shirley had a kind, compassionate and unconditional love. One that extended deep in the hearts of her children and grandchildren. Her heart was so vast and wide that she took in so many more children and grandchildren to love as her own.

Shirley is survived by her husband, Kenneth Speer; three daughters, Sherrie (Matt) Thummel, Marcia Speer and Sonya (Rodney) Latzke; sister, Anita Miller; brother, Steve Vessar; eight grandchildren, Donna (Isaac) Bohnenkemper, Heather Carson, Kenneth Lowe, Morgan Thummel, Mason Thummel, Harleigh Latzke, Alex Handke and Rhyleigh Latzke and six great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Donna & Roy Smith; siblings, Sidney, Elilene, Betty Ann, Barbara, Carolyn, Sam, Dale and Roy Lee; a daughter, Shelley Lowe and her grandson Cody Carson.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 A.M. on Thursday, November 16, 2023 at the Muscotah United Church with burial to follow at the Muscotah Cemetery. The family will greet friends on Wednesday evening from 5:30 to 7:00 P.M. at the Dishon-Maple-Chaney Mortuary in Horton, Kansas. Memorials may be made to the Muscotah Cancer Support Group and may be sent in care of the mortuary. A special message may be sent to the family at www.dishon-maple-chaney.com