Shirley L Wilds, 90, was born September 17, 1935, in Stanley, Kansas and died August 17, 2026 in Overland Park, Kansas. She was preceded in death by her parents, Harvey and Della Frazee and siblings Rose Masters, Elmer Frazee, Dorothy Irvin, Lawrence Frazee, Irvin ‘Ike’ Frazee and Herbert Frazee.

Shirley was born and spent her early years in Stanley, Kansas. The family moved to Olathe, Kansas when Shirley began the third grade. She remained in Olathe through high school and was one of the 65 members of the class of 1953. (By contrast, Olathe graduating classes now number around 2,500 a year).

After high school, Shirley began working in Kansas City, first as a Hallmark card decorator, then as an insurance secretary, enjoying an active social life in both Olathe and Kansas City. She married Lawrence Wilds on September 2,1960 and they bought their first home in Prairie Village, Kansas.

Shirley and Larry moved to Topeka, Kansas in 1966, where their son, Alan, was born in 1968. They remained in Topeka, except for one year spent in California, until retirement in 1995. During this time, Shirley found her real passion was helping others, and she found many outlets for this by volunteering with the Topeka Public Schools, Cub Scouts, Kids Voting, ESL programs at Washburn University and the Cat Association of Topeka ( C.A.T.) . She also was kept busy by her employment with the Menninger Foundation and the Kansas Legislature.

After retiring, Shirley and Larry moved first to Mesa and then Sun City West, Arizona to enjoy the beautiful weather, travel and the many retirement community activities. In 2004, they returned to Kansas, purchasing a home in Overland Park and began the job of being doting grandparents to their three rapidly growing grandchildren. 

She is survived by her husband Lawrence Wilds of the home, her son Alan Wilds (Sandra) of Pittsburg, Missouri, her grandchildren Alexis Wilds, Devin Wilds and Katerina Wilds, all of Metro Kansas City, her brother Wayne Frazee (Penny) of Bakersfield, CA, her nieces and nephews and their families.

A gathering of family and friends will be held Saturday, August 29, 2026 from 10-11 AM at Park Lawn Funeral Home, 8251 Hillcrest Road, Kansas City, Missouri. A graveside service will follow at 11 AM in Memorial Park Cemetery.