Shirley Joan Vandeventer

Shirley Joan Vandeventer passed away peacefully at her home in Overland Park, Kansas, on February 8, 2025, at the age of 90. Born on October 15, 1934, in Wichita Kansas, Shirley was the only child of Dwanne Waterbury and Margureitte Cooper. She remained in Wichita for most of her life and was surrounded by many friends and family along the way. Shirley experienced several chapters in her life all of which she embraced wholeheartedly. She married her high school sweetheart, Tate Nielsen, and they raised three children together. While she was married to Tate and raising children, she worked as a Jr. High School P.E. teacher, and cheerleading coach. Together they celebrated as all three children graduated from high school, college, got married, and began having children. Sadly, Tate passed, and a new chapter began for Shirely. During Shirley’s next adventure she married Lyle Vandeventer, who became not only her husband but a grandfather to several of the grandchildren. During this journey, Shirley started a tutoring business and devoted much of her time to that and to her children and grandchildren. She would spoil them with shopping trips, movies, and taking them to NuWay or other fun places. It was important to her to make sure that her children and grandchildren were celebrated. After the passing of Lyle, Shirley once again started another chapter. Her final chapter consisted of retirement, travel, golfing, exercise classes with friends, family gatherings, coffee on the patio, and many adventures to her lake house. In the end her true joy came from her dog, Texas, and the family and friends who were a constant in her life. Shirley is survived by her son, Martin T. Nielsen; daughter, Tami (Rusty) Fulton; and son-in-law, Mike McCune. Shirely leaves behind an extended family of 8 grandchildren (Miles, Holly, Anna, Mark, Matt, Abbey Jo, Emma, and Elana), 16 great-grandchildren, several beloved friends, and her dog, Texas. She is preceded in death by her parents, Dwanne Waterbury and Margueritte Kilmer; step father, Marc Kilmer; first husband, Tate Nielsen; second husband, Lyle Vandeventer; and daughter, Vicki D. McCune. Shirley was full of energy and constantly on the move. She was a true force and light to many. As we grieve, we honor her memory by remembering the ending to her many voicemails, “Bye Bye, I love you, It’s Grandma.” Bye Bye, Momma and Grandma. We love you too! Memorial Service will be at 2:00 pm, Saturday, April 5, 2025, at Downing & Lahey East Mortuary. Memorials have been established with the Kansas Humane Society, 3313 N. Hillside, Wichita, KS 67219; KC Pet Project, 7077 Elmwood Ave., Kansas City, MO 64132.