Shirley T. Newstrom

Shirley Theresa Newstrom, 82, of Topeka passed away peacefully on August 24th surrounded by her loving family, which was fitting since her family meant more to her than anything and she so loved having them all in one place.

A celebration of her life will be held at 7:00 p.m. Monday August 28th at First Lutheran Church, in Topeka, Reverend Jenny Jackson presiding. The family will receive friends at the church one hour prior to the service.

Shirley Newstrom was born on May 2, 1935 in Bryant, South Dakota to Charles and Mabel (Jefferson) Buckland and grew up in the Bryant area. She was the second youngest of 15 children and loved to entertain her own children and grandchildren with stories of growing up with such a large family.
After her marriage to Merlyn Newstrom in 1955, Shirley left Bryant and moved to Brookings, South Dakota and then to Rock Island, Illinois, Owatonna, Minnesota and Red Wing, Minnesota, giving birth to four children along the way. In 1966, she and her family settled in Topeka where she raised her children and was a resident of the Westboro neighborhood for many years before moving to Southwest Topeka to be closer to her grandchildren.

Shirley loved to visit her sisters in South Dakota and to play cards. She could often be found playing Senior Cards at the rec centers in Topeka. In her younger years, she would frequently play volleyball and bowl. She was fanatical in her love for KU basketball and passionate about being a mother and grandmother. No one who has ever visited her has left her home hungry, as she would never let you leave without eating, no matter how many times you insisted you weren't hungry. She has hosted a large family Christmas Eve celebration at her house for over 30 years that was the highlight of both her and her family's year. Though at least one batch always burned, her miniature pigs and blankets will never be matched.

Anyone who knew Shirley will tell you that she loved to laugh and was always making others laugh, whether intentionally or not. She was full of funny sayings and could usually be relied on to respond that she was "just as fat and sassy as ever" when asked how she was.

She loved her family deeply and was fortunate enough to spend many hours with her grandchildren watching them grow up, attending all of their sporting events and performances, teaching them card games, and making sure they always felt loved. In recent years, she was thrilled to see her oldest grandchildren get married and start lives of their own and was so proud of the wonderful adults they have all become. There are no words to fully describe what an incredible grandmother she was.

Shirley had one of the most loving hearts God has ever created and it was so full of love not only for her family and friends, but for the Lord. She attended First Lutheran Church in Topeka for over 50 years and was steadfast in her love and faith in Jesus Christ.

She is survived by her children, Cole (Vickie) Newstrom of Lawrence, Cyndi (Kent Davis) Newstrom of Overland Park, Dawn (Andy) Graham of Topeka, Doug (Ronda) Newstrom of Leawood, seven grandchildren: Cody (Rachel) Moran of Lenexa, Alissa (Dewey) Peters of Fort Worth, Texas, Linaya (Eric) Nevels of Olathe, Amanda (Andy) Koukol of Merriam, and Jacob, Alec, and Sarah Newstrom of Leawood, Kevin (Jamie) Newman of Lecompton, Matt (Stephanie) Griggy of Lawrence, as well as a new great-grandson, Carter Moran of Lenexa, six sisters, and a host of nieces and nephews. She also leaves her best friend and card-playing buddy Elain Bowen.

She is preceded in death by her parents, 3 brothers, and 5 sisters
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Burial will be in the city of her birth, Bryant, South Dakota. Memorials in her honor may be made to First Lutheran Church, 1234 SW Fairlawn Road in Topeka.

Penwell-Gabel Southwest Chapel is assisting with arrangements.

To leave a special message for the family online visit the guestbook below.