Shirley Dean Koelling Ross was born outside of Wright City on January 3, 1936 to Frank and Olga Koelling. At the age of 12, her mother passed away from a heart defect. She had one brother, Kenneth Koelling, and three sisters, Ruth Koelling Welch, Rosie Koelling Blaue and Loretta Koelling Pezold Davis.
Times were very hard for Shirley’s family. Every day, she and her siblings would walk the railroad tracks picking up coal to heat their wood stove. Since her dad was unable to care for the family, Shirley was placed in a foster home of Bill and Lillian Cook in Wright City.
Shirley married Norman Ross on May 22, 1955 at the Christian Church in Elsberry. They lived in Scott City, Cape Girardeau, Centralia before finally settling in Lexington. Her husband, Norman, took a job with Lexington High School, teaching business classes to students. Their three boys – Craig, Keith and Kevin – joined them in the Lexington home.
As the boys got older, Shirley attended Central Missouri State University (now University of Central Missouri) in Warrensburg. She received three degrees: B.S., M.S. and Specialist. She taught fifth grade at Lexington Middle School for one year, then served as a librarian for 29 years at the same school. She joined Betty Hamman in the People To People Program as a group leader, supervising high school students and traveling to over 32 different countries.
Shirley’s summers were filled with trips to other countries touring the Great Wall of China, visiting Moscow, Russia during the time of the Iron Curtain and several trips to Australia. Shirley had many friends and memories to share.
From 2011-2018, Shirley served on the Missouri Silver Haired Legislature. The SHL has served as a legitimate voice for older adults to support legislation to improve the lives of all senior Missourians. Shirley represented five counties, including Lafayette, as secretary and advocate for seniors.
Years back, Shirley was a member/teacher of the First Christian Church in Lexington. She served on many committees, including president of the Missouri Librarian Association and a board member of the Senior Center. She donated time at the Lafayette County Hospital and kept busy with the local garden club. She loved genealogy; she even traveled to Germany to do research on her family descendants. She created the new electronic directory at the Machpelah Cemetery.
Shirley loved playing bridge. She had many friends and a loving family and lived life abundantly. Her moments were lined with love, kindness, selfless help and encouragement for others. She passed away the morning of July 10 while in hospice care. She had succumbed to pancreatic cancer. Her memories will live on in our hearts.
Visitation was on July 15 at Walker-Nadler-Fuller Funeral Home in Lexington. Interment was at the Machpelah Cemetery in Lexington. Memorials may be made to the Lexington Garden Club or the Machpelah Cemetery Association. Memories and condolences may be left at www.LedfordFamilyFH.com Arrangements have been entrusted to Walker-Nadler-Fuller Funeral Home, 1720 South Street, Lexington, MO 64067, 660-259-2245.
