Neva Shoemaker

Neva Irene (Stites) Shoemaker was born Aug. 19, 1928, on a farm northwest of Ionia, Kan. She died Oct. 13, 2022. Her parents were George Oscar and Helen Allene (Clark) Stites. She grew up on the farm where she was born and attended the first two years of grade school at the Livers Country School. Neva finished grade school and high school in Ionia, graduating from Ionia Rural High School in 1946.

Neva married Harold Elwood Shoemaker on Aug. 25, 1946, at the Methodist Parsonage in Beloit, Kan. The first six years of their marriage was spent living on a farm north of Glen Elder, Kan., near the Jewell-Mitchell County line. In February of 1952, they moved to their farm northwest of Ionia. Soon after, on April 2, 1952, their first child, Curtis Lin was born. Their second child, Susan Elaine, was born on Feb. 24, 1957. Harold and Neva were married for 71 years before Harold died on Jan. 16, 2018.

She was baptized and became a member of the Ionia E.U.B. Church, which later became the Ionia United Methodist Church. She was faithful in attendance and an active member holding many church offices.

Neva loved animals, especially horses. As a child, she spent many days riding, a hobby that lasted all her life. She was a member of several saddle clubs and participated in many horse shows and trail rides. Neva played the guitar and sang and enjoyed country music. Neva was a great cook and enjoyed cooking for her family. She also enjoyed traveling and camping. Her children and grandchildren were the center of her busy life on the farm. Life on the farm was precious to her, and she never had thoughts of living somewhere else.

Neva is survived by her son, Curt Shoemaker, and wife, Maureen, Ionia; daughter Susan Shea, and husband Patrick, Lawrence; grandchildren: Brad Engelbert, and wife, Pam, Corvallis, Ore.; Danelle Perry, and husband, Daniel, Manhattan; Travis Engelbert, and wife, Erica, Boulder, Colo.; Vanessa Engelbert, Boulder, Colo.; and great-grandchildren: Noah, Lauren, Asher and Rainier.

Visitation was from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Oct. 16, at Kleppinger Funeral Home, Jewell.

A graveside service was held at 11 a.m., Monday Oct. 17, at the Ionia Cemetery, with Pastor Rodney Rose officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Solomon Valley Hospice or the Equus Foundation (horse welfare and rehoming foundation) in care of the funeral home.

For online condolences, please visit nuttermortuary.com.