Shirley Ketchum

Shirley Ketchum, age 87, of Elkhart, Kansas, died Monday, June 13, 2022, at Pioneer Manor in Hugoton, Kansas. She was born May 29, 1935, in Lakin, Kansas, the oldest child of William and Zelma (Barber) Rust.

Shirley graduated in 1953 from Lamar High School in Lamar, Colorado. She married A.C. (Charles) Davis on May 1, 1953, and they moved to Elkhart in 1956. Together they welcomed three children: Paul William, Allan Charles, and Kendra Lee. Shirley later married J.L. Ketchum on January 23, 1982, and gained another daughter, Taunya Jill. Over the years, Shirley held various positions while working for local businesses including Davis Jewelry, several doctors’ offices, the local dentist office, and an insurance agency. Shirley was exceptionally proud of her role as one of Morton County’s first EMTs. She also served as the Morton County District Magistrate Judge from 1976 until her retirement in 1988. During her retirement, she and J.L. began traveling in their motor home and eventually bought a park model home in Harlingen, Texas, where they resided during the winter seasons. Shirley enjoyed woodcarving and working with stained glass.

Survivors include her son, Paul Davis of Hutchinson, Kansas; two daughters, Kendra Thomason of Elkhart, Kansas, and Taunya Jill Johnson and husband Roger of Overland Park, Kansas; two sisters, Peggy Lyons of Rochester, New York, and Donna Sanders of Bellingham, Washington; brother, John Rust and wife JoAnn of Cody, Wyoming; four grandchildren, Reid Thomason and wife Tiffany of Arvada, Colorado, Kenzie Thomason of Kansas City, Missouri, Michelle Schrag and husband Grady of Inman, Kansas, and Wayne Thomason of Elkhart, Kansas; five great-grandchildren, Lincoln and Elyse Thomason of Arvada, Colorado, Devin Wiens and Keegan Schrag of Hutchinson, Kansas, and Kellen Schrag of Inman, Kansas; and four great-great-grandchildren.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents; husband, J.L.; son, Allan; son-in-law, Clint Thomason; and daughter-in-law, Barbara Davis.

Memorial service will be Saturday, July 9th, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. at Garnand Funeral Home Chapel in Elkhart, Kansas, with Pastor Ed Richards officiating. Inurnment will follow at the Elkhart Cemetery. The service will be live streamed on Garnand Funeral Home Facebook page. Family requests memorials be given to Morton County EMS or Morton County Library in care of Garnand Funeral Home, P.O. Box 854, Elkhart, Kansas, 67950. Condolences may be posted at www.garnandfuneralhomes.com.