Shirley Oldham

Shirley Oldham, age 92, of Cottonwood Falls, KS died Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at the Chase County Care and Rehabilitation Center in Cottonwood Falls.

The daughter of Carroll Fred and Estella Marie (Schmitt) Holmberg, she was born in March 19, 1932, in Strong City.  She graduated from Strong City High School in 1950.  Shirley was very intelligent with a vibrant and memorable personality and cheerleader at her high school.  She married Carvel Oldham, of Cottonwood Falls, on June 1, 1953 in Strong City.  She helped Carvel with his studies at Kansas State University and proudly served as his Air Force wife while he was a pilot from 1954until 1957.    

Before marriage Shirley cleaned houses, worked as a Soda Clerk and, after high school, as a bookkeeper for George Beaver.  After marriage she was a wife, mother and involved in many, many activities in the Chase County area.  Among them were helping to get the Cottonwood Falls Pool built (where she spent many hours with her family), assisting with the first kindergarten class in the area, a member of many bridge/social clubs, organizing parties and much, much more.  Shirley and Carvel were known for their socializing, love of dancing and she loved to dress appropriately for each occasion.  She was also a big Kansas State sports fan since her husband played football and was on the track team.

Preceded in death by her husband Carvel in 2015, she is survived by a son, Thomas C. Oldham (Margaret) of Collierville, TN; two daughters; Tonya M. Utech (Tim) of Herington and Taryn L. Ratcliff (Kelly) of Lebo; and four grandchildren; Joshua and Caroline Oldham, Tristan Kirkland (Jacob) and Tyson Utech (Nora); and three great-grandchildren; Brooklyn and Colt Kirkland and Rory Utech.  She was preceded in death by her parents and brother Jack Holmberg and sisters Connie Roberts and Beverly Grochowsky.

A rosary will be recited Monday, November 11, at 6 p.m., at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Strong City and a mass will be held Tuesday, at 10 a.m. at the church.   Father Andrew Seiler will celebrate both services.  Interment will be in St. Anthony Cemetery north of Strong City.

The family will meet friends, following the rosary, at St. Anthony Hall.  Memorial contributions to St. Anthony Catholic Church, Chase County Senior Center or to the Burnley Memorial Library (Cottonwood Falls) may be sent in care of Brown-Bennet-Alexander Funeral Home, 201 Cherry, Cottonwood Falls, KS 66845.  Condolence messages may be left at www.brown-bennett-alexander.com.

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