Shirley Mae Smulling

Shirley Mae Smulling, 93, passed away Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at Peterson’s Assisted Living in Osage City, Kansas

She was born October 19, 1931, in Kansas City, Missouri, the daughter of Kenneth and Edith Cinita Humphrey Anderson. Shirley attended Miller High School where she graduated with the Class of 1948. She later attended Colorado Women’s College, graduating on June 1, 1950.

Shirley was joined in marriage to Wilber Bryon (Bud) Smulling on September 2, 1950, in Yuma, Arizona. After Bud ‘s military service, they moved to Chanute, Kansas. Shirley and Bud moved about for a while living in Kansas City, Kansas, Princeton, Illinois, LaVista, Nebraska settling in Nebraska City, Nebraska. They completely invested themselves and their family in the experiences and activities of each community at the time they called them home.

Shirely took a position at Omaha National Bank that spanned numerous changes of ownership of the bank. Her valued contributions earned her the position of Trust Officer. She and Bud owned and operated Whispering Pines Bed & Breakfast in Nebraska City for many years alongside her career at the bank. In 1995 they retired to enjoy time with less distractions. They were known to hit the open road, where every antique shop was fair game and deserved a quick look around. They compiled a vast collection of glassware and other collectables over the years.

Shirley lost her dear husband, Bud, on September 4, 2007, just two days after their 57th wedding anniversary. Following Bud’s death, Shirley returned to Osage City. Never the one to enjoy idle time, Shirley became active in the Miller Methodist Church and joined the Red Hats Club. She thrived in her new sense of community and continued developing her talent for painting. Her oil paintings became too many to count at times. She would add a watercolor into the mix occasionally as well. Shirley kept her administrative skills sharp by doing tax preparation for countless people throughout the area.

Her zest for life and nature was not without loss. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; twin infant sons, Stewart and Stephen Smulling; an infant granddaughter, Melissa Sue Smulling and a son-in-law, Todd Brett Nettleton. Shirley will live on through the memories and lives of her daughter, Kim Nettleton of Miller, Kansas; a son Timothy Smulling and his wife Sharon of Nebraska City, Nebraska; seven grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren and a community of friends.

Services will be held at 11:00 A.M., Friday, May 30, 2025, at the Miller United Methodist Church.

Burial will follow at Ivy Cemetery where she will join her beloved Bud and other dear family. Shirley’s family will receive friends an hour prior to services at the church on Friday. Memorial contributions are requested to be made to the Osage City Library and may be sent in care of the VanArsdale Funeral Chapel, 107 N. 6th Street, Osage City, Kansas 66523. Condolences may be expressed at vanarsdalefs.com.