Shirley Henson

Shirley Henson, 91, died November 4, 2018 in Topeka. She was born March 14, 1927 in Severance, Kansas to Alma and Warren Skinner. Shirley, brother Connie, and their parents resided in Wathena, Kansas. Shirley taught in a one-room schoolhouse after graduating from Wathena High School. She married Owen Henson in 1947. Shirley and Owen lived in Elwood, Kansas for a year and moved to Topeka in 1948.

Shirley attended St. Joseph Community College and Washburn University. In her long working life as a secretary, she worked in many places, including Topeka Public Schools, Jostens and Blue Cross Blue Shield.

Shirley was an avid reader, often reading several books at the same time. She imparted her love of reading to her two children. She loved to go to flea markets where she often added to her collections of frogs, Russel Wright dishes, cast iron Christmas tree stands, sugar shakers and creamers

Shirley is survived by daughter Chris and her husband Eugene Zumwalt, son Scott and his wife Linda, grandson Jimmy Lanning and his wife Katie, granddaughter Jessica Gnad and her husband Shannon, and four great grandchildren, Jack, Betsy and Ruby Gnad, and Johnni Lanning.

No services will be held. Memorial contributions may be made to Topeka Public Library, either online through foundation.tcpl.org/ways-to-give or by mail at The Library Foundation, 1515 S.W. 10th Avenue, Topeka, KS 66604.