Shirley Boucek

   Shirley left this world on August 30, 2026 in Overland Park Kansas, after a courageous battle to live, which was almost 8 months in length of medical treatments in Salina, Wichita and Kansas City.

   Shirley was welcomed to this world by her parents, Amos and Alma (Jones) Chapman, and her brother, Fred Chapman on September 28, 1938 at Beloit.

   Shirley was a "country girl". The family lived on a farm near Jewell, then on another farm near number 9 highway between Beloit and Concordia, and the family then moved to a farm at the highway 24 and 14 junction. Shirley attended country school, and later graduated from Beloit High School.

   Shirley enjoyed the country life, she helped her father on his farm. She had a horse named Quennie, that she rode in the pasture, and later on in parades with several saddle clubs.

   One day while helping her dad cut wheat, her hair got caught in an auger and some hair was pulled out.

   She started a long career in health care at an early age. At 16 she worked at the "old" hospital at Beloit, assisting in many tasks at the hospital.

   After graduation from high school, she continued to work at the old Beloit hospital, and even at times stayed at the nurses house (now the Prude House).

   In 1962 she married Roger Boucek, and she moved to the Boucek farm north of Ada. They were married for 50 years, Roger passed away on their 50th wedding anniversary. She helped at the family farm and started to work at the Delphos Rest Home, where she worked until the facility.closed. She was the last employee to walk out the door. Shirley was a CNA, CMA and PT assistant.

   On the farm her main job other than support was hauling the grain to Ada. First in pickups at 60 bu at a time, and later when a Chevy truck was bought, she drove that truck many times to Ada. Several years ago, when getting into one of the wheat trucks, she thought she saw something move, sure enough it was a bull snake. Shirley was no lover of snakes. So harvest had to come to a stop, and a trip was made to the farm store in Concordia, where several bags of snake repellent were purchased, and then spread in the cab of the trucks. Thereafter, Troy would have to drive the truck several miles, the thought was, if there was a snake, it would come out in that short ride, then Shirley would crawl into the truck cab, and away she would go to town with a load of grain.

   In later years, Shirley would need to make several trips a day to the elevator. One day she was tired after making a number of trips in the truck, and she said she wanted a semi for next harvest, she said if she was going to have to take all that time and work going back and forth from the Ada elevator, she wanted a big load so it was worth the time and trip.To prove she could do it, on her birthday in 2025 she went to the county treasurer's office and renewed her drivers license.

  It was also in the Czech community north of Ada, she appreciated the music, culture and food of the Czech people. Her mother in law, Alma, helped her learn how to make kolaches and other Czech favorites. Shirley took a special liking to liver headcheese. She also helped many years with activities at the Bohemian Hall, including the holiday dances, wedding dances, community activities and lodge activities.

   Shirley enjoyed baking. She made angel food cakes for many occasions and celebrations, including anniversaries and weddings.

   Shirley also enjoyed doing crafts, sewing, quilting, knitting. She used to make afghans, socks, hats, and a number of baby blankets. She knitted many baby sets for people in the area. She also made quilts. She made small quilts that she would donate to children's hospitals. She also entered some of her handicrafts in the area fairs, and would bring home a ribbon.

   Shirley and Roger only had one child, Troy, but Shirley always wanted a girl, but instead, she got 3 nieces, Debbie, Cathy and Susan, which she thought of them as daughters or "her girls". She one time, for their birthdays, made each a barbie cake (a barbie doll, with a angel food cake as a skirt that was decorated).

   After she stopped working at the Delphos Rest Home, she then started to work at the long term care unit at the "new" Beloit hospital until her retirement. After retirement, she became more involved in the farm work, when she and Troy would go out to the farm from Beloit, and Shirley would stay in the pickup, and knit, sew, do puzzles or just watch and enjoy the outside. At times she would crawl onto the 4 wheel atv and drive around, spray some thistles and just enjoy a little ride.

   In later years, Shirley enjoyed her big screen tv and making plastic canvas crafts and watching Denver basketball, Hogan's Heroes and British Comedy, sewing, knitting and craft programs on the local PBS station.

   Shirley is preceded from this life by her parents, Amos and Alma Chapman, her Husband Roger, her brother and sister in law, Fred and Betty Chapman.

   Left to keep Shirley in their memories is son Troy (Beloit), Deb and husband Brain Scofield (Texas), Cathy Wallace (Texas), and Susan and husband Gary Bouley (Clifton) Also a number of relatives, friends, neighbors.

   Her final resting place will be at the Bohemian National Cemetery, north of Ada, Kansas.

   Shirley may have left, but she will not be forgotten.

   Funeral services will be at 10 AM Tuesday, September 8 at the Roberts Family Funeral Home in Beloit. Visitation will be from 1-6 PM Monday, September 7 at the funeral home. Memorials may be given to Solomon Valley Transportation.