Shirley Lorraine Alexander Kats, 74, of Phillipsburg, Kansas, died peacefully at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney, Nebraska on April 1, 2015, surrounded by her beloved family.
She was born in rural Norton County on October 18, 1940 to Clair & Leona (Archer) Alexander.
Shirley graduated from Almena High School in 1959 and married Derek Kats on April 10, 1960 in Norton, Kansas. To this union three daughters were born – Kathy, Sherry and Vicky. They lived on the family farm near Prairie View, Kansas until moving to Phillipsburg in 2007.
In addition to being a wife, homemaker and mother, Shirley worked as a home care provider for Jill's Helping Hands for a number of years. She was an active member of the Luctor Christian Reformed Church and served with several community organizations.
Her parents, Clair & Leona Alexander, preceded her in death.
She is survived by her husband, Derek, of the home; daughters, Kathy & husband, Tim Nimz, of Littleton, CO, Sherry & husband, Alan Woodside, of Prairie View, KS, and Vicky & husband, Steve Allen, of Fredericksburg, VA; two grandchildren, Serena & husband, Ricky Marquez of Manhattan, KS and Eric Woodside & fiancee', Elizabeth Koch, of Prairie View, KS.

Funeral services will be held Sat. April 4 at 10:00 a.m. in the Luctor Christian Reformed Church with Dr. Dave Rozema & Pastor Aaron Rust officiating. Burial will follow in the Luctor Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 5:00 to 9:00 Thursday & 9:00 to 9:00 Friday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or The Phillips County Hospital.