Shirley A. Olenhouse, 77, of Parsons, a former Erie resident, died at 3:15 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 12, 2011, at the home of her daughter, Christine Montross near Edna. She had been in failing health, but her death was unexpected.

She was born on Jan. 30, 1934, at Milwaukee, Wis., to John Clarence “Jack” and Hazel (Graf) Grey. She grew up at Milwaukee and attended Lutheran schools there, graduating from Milwaukee Lutheran High School in 1951.

She married Clifford “Rex” Olenhouse on Nov. 8, 1952, at St. Martini Lutheran Church at Milwaukee. They met on a blind date that was set up through mutual friends. He preceded her in death on Feb. 14, 1992.

She lived in Olathe and California while her husband served in the Navy before moving to Fredonia. They moved to Erie in 1984, and she made her home there until recently staying with both her daughters.

She worked as a bank teller in her youth and then was a homemaker and farm wife and owned and operated a ceramic shop in Fredonia and Erie. She later worked as a bookkeeper at Farm Management in Chanute.

Shirley had a creative spirit and enjoyed ceramics, beading, crocheting and all kinds of arts and crafts. She also liked to go square dancing. When her daughters were children, she was active in the 4-H program.

She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church and was active in the Lutheran Women Missionary League, helping with meals in the church kitchen, and the church hand bell choir.

Survivors include two daughters, Christine Montross and her husband, Danny, of rural Edna and Cynthia Withers of Parsons; five grandchildren, Shane Withers, Scott Withers, Samara Stemple, Sierra Withers and Kolby Montross; and a great-granddaughter, Jessa Stemple.

She was preceded in death by two granddaughters, Holly and Sally Withers; a brother, Robert Grey; and a sister, Ardith Boggs.

The service will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Zion Lutheran Church at Chanute. Burial will follow in East Hill Cemetery at Erie. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. today at Pierce-Carson-Wall Funeral Home in Erie.

Memorials are suggested to Zion Lutheran Church and may be left at or mailed to the funeral home, 303 N. Grant St., P.O. Box 182, Erie, 66733.

Online condolences may be left at www.wallfuneralservices.com.