March 17, 1939 ~ May 14, 2021
Shirley was born in Chickasha, OK, on March 17, 1939 to Abraham and Ora Cramer Rusch. She passed away at her home on May 14, 2021. She was the oldest of four children. She started her schooling in Chickasha and graduated at Liberal (KS) High School with the class of 1956.
Shirley had three children with Melvin Dee Howard. They married in 1956. She worked various jobs during her lifetime, including Sonic Drive In, Southwestern Bell, MPI & Beech Aircraft. She retired from Raytheon in 2001.
Shirley married the love of her life, Richard Tauer, on August 27, 1997. They moved to Edmond in 2001, from Wichita, KS. They enjoyed embroidery, entering census numbers and grave sites for families.
Preceding her in death are her parents, three brothers: Marvin “Bud” Rusch, Abie “Curly” Rusch and Ronnie Rusch; two children, Connie Shea-Templin in 2016 and Mitchell Dee in 1977; as well as a grandson, John Dee Shea in 1991.
Survivors include her husband, Richard of the home; a daughter, Pamela Howard-Davis of OKC; 7 children; 30 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; 18 great-great-grandchildren; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and other family members and friends.
A funeral service to remember and celebrate Shirley’s life will be held on Monday, May 17, 2021 at 1:00PM at Crawford Family Funeral Service in Edmond, OK. Burial will take place following services Monday at Homestead Cemetery, NW of Okeene, OK. Services will be made available via livestream here on Shirley’s tribute page, just prior to services beginning on Monday.