Shirley Messer

Shirley Jean (Stone) Messer, 85, of Council Grove, Kansas, passed away on April 11, 2026. Shirley was born on November 2, 1940, to Jack and Nadine Stone in Columbus, Kansas.

Shirley met her one true love, Earl “Dean” Messer, through her cousin, Junior Stone. On their first date, Dean took Shirley to see Love Me Tender, starring Elvis Presley— Dean knew the way to her heart. Shirley’s love for Elvis stayed strong through her later years, along with her love for Dean. Dean and Shirley were married on July 26, 1958, and had three children: Tammy, James, and Tracy. Their marriage lasted 63 years, truly standing the test of time.

The couple moved many times while raising their children, Shirley was a dedicated homemaker. While living in Moscow, Kansas, in 1974, Shirley became famous for her homemade pies—found at many concessions stands raising money for her children’s athletic events. Shirley loved to bake and could often be found at her son’s restaurant baking pies and cinnamon rolls.

Shirley was a talented seamstress. She made beautiful wedding dresses for both daughters and her daughter-in-law. They were impeccably crafted and added a special touch to their wedding days. Shirley also sewed beautiful bridal party dresses for her Granddaughter Ambers wedding. She was our go to seamstress sewing clothes for Dean and everyone else in the family. The memories of her at the sewing machine we will always cherish. Her talents did not stop there: she made personalized Christmas stockings with intricate hand beading, and each stocking had to be different, by her own criteria. She made them with love for the family until age no longer allowed her to finish the final few. These stockings are now treasured keepsakes; they will remind us of her every Christmas when they are hung with care.

Shirley was a devoted, loyal wife and a loving mother. If you wanted to see her beam with pride, you only had to ask about her kids, her grandchildren, or her great-grandchildren. Shirley was known to be a bit of a spoiler to her grands —making special treats and happily holding a baby in her arms for hours. With Shirley, the saying rang true: there was no place like home, except Grandma’s house. The kids will always remember the treasured times they had with her. In life we loved her dearly; in death we love her still. In our hearts there will be a place no one else will ever fill.

Shirley is survived by her children: Tammy LeNeve; James Messer (Veronica), Tracy Koop (Tim); Seven grandchildren: Gage LeNeve; Amber Brechbuhler (A.J), Tanner Messer (Andrea), Tasha Green (Ben), Jared, Jayson, and Gia Koop; Ten great-grandchildren: Shelby Loya (Kenneth), Aubrey Brechbuhler, Chance Brechbuhler, Calvin, Colton and Lyla Messer, Ava, Bodhi and Mila Green; One great-great grandchild: Truce Smith; and Sisters-in-law: Dixie Stone and Cathy Stone.   

She was preceded in death by her husband, Earl “Dean” Messer; her parents, Jack, and Nadine Stone; her siblings, Sherry, Jackie, Johnny, and Jerrie; her in-laws, James, and Letha Messer; and her sons-in-law, John LeNeve and Johnny Johnson.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, May 2nd, at 11:00 am, at  Sunny Slope Cemetery, Council Grove, Kansas.