Shirley Jean (Shoemaker) Buek

Shirley Jean (Shoemaker) Buek, 82, of Burlingame, KS passed away Saturday, November 8, 2025 at the Brookside Retirement Community in Overbrook, KS.  She was born November 22, 1942 in Lawrence, KS the daughter of Virgil Shoemaker and Florence (Postma) Shoemaker.  Shirley graduated from Lawrence High School with the Class of 1960.  She later graduated from Clark School of Business in Topeka, KS.

Shirley was united in marriage to Gary M. Buek on May 1, 1965 in Perry, KS.  They shared over fifty-six years of marriage before Gary’s passing on February 9, 2022.

Shirley was a Secretary for several Life Insurance Companies in Topeka, KS.   She was a farm wife, who helped with the day to day operations on the family farm for many years while also raising a family and working.

 Shirley was a devoted member of the Burlingame Federated Church and had a strong Faith in God. She will be remembered for her loving and caring personality; her Gift-of-Gab and being a people pleasing person. Shirley was a great cook, her family will always remember her homemade pies and her burnt sugar ice cream.    

She was preceded in death by her parents, Virgil and Florence Shoemaker; her husband, Gary; and two brothers, William “Bill” Shoemaker and Robert “Bob” Shoemaker.   

Surviving family includes a daughter, Pam Sims and husband, Jerry of Canton, GA; four sons, Richard Buek of Topeka, KS, John Buek of Burlingame, KS, William Buek of Topeka, KS and Ret. Lt. Col. Brad Buek and wife Melissa of Acworth, GA;  a sister-in-law, Lucille Shoemaker of Auburn, KS; eleven grandchildren; and twelve great-grandchildren.

To celebrate Shirley’s life, a funeral service will be held 10 a.m. Saturday, November 15, 2025 at the Federated Church, 322 S. Topeka Ave., Burlingame, KS 66413.  Interment will follow at the Burlingame Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, November 14, 2025 at the Lamb-Roberts-Price Funeral Home, 503 S. Topeka Ave., Burlingame, KS 66413.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Federated Church of Burlingame and sent in c/o the Lamb-Roberts-Price Funeral Home, P.O. Box 194, Burlingame, KS 66413.  Condolences may be sent to the family through www.lamb-roberts.com.  

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