Shirley J. (McIntire) Holland

Medicine Lodge- Holland, Shirley J.

age 86, passed away Monday, March 30, 2020.  Memorial Services will be held at a later date.  Shirley June McIntire was born July 20, 1933, on her family farm in rural Byron, Oklahoma, to Lanta and Wilma (Terry) McIntire.  She was the third generation of her family to live on the farm which was founded during the Cherokee Strip Land Run of 1893.  Memories of her childhood were dear to her.  Memories of farm chores including milking and herding cows, of attending Locust Grove School, a one-room schoolhouse until the 8th grade, and of her family’s involvement in Union Valley Church, a one-room country church.  Her many extended family members and neighbors lived a cheerful life even through difficult times.  Shirley continued her high school education in Byron, then received a teaching degree from Northwestern Oklahoma State University.  

Shirley had an older sister, Donice.  Buddy Terry, a relative, came to live with her family during his childhood and he became just like a brother to her.

On June 1, 1955, she married Donnie Holland at Union Valley Church.  In 2005, they returned there for a 50th wedding anniversary celebration.  Following their wedding, Shirley and Donnie moved to Medicine Lodge, Kansas, where she began a teaching career.  She taught Kindergarten and Second Grade at different times in her 11-year teaching career and later became a substitute teacher.  Oh, how she loved children.  Nothing brought her more joy than a former student coming up to her 40+ years later and telling her how special she was to them or how she had made a difference in their life.  She would remember them in detail and would likely still have a gift they had given her from years ago.  Nieces and nephews were also great loves of Shirley.  Many still recall her taking them for rides in the Gyp Hills in the old Plymouth.  She always worked to brighten a child’s day.     

Shirley’s faith in God was a cornerstone of her life.  From growing up playing the piano and participating in church services at Union Valley, to becoming a member of First Christian Church in Medicine Lodge from 1955 until she moved away.  She was Sunday School Superintendent for grades K-4 for many years, along with teaching Sunday School, and assisting Donnie in church treasurer duties.  Following and serving Jesus were very important to her.

In 1966, Shirley and Donnie had their son, Kevin.  She retired from full-time teaching and became a full-time homemaker and mother.  And an excellent one she was.  Her teaching skills were utilized on Kevin, making him a good student.  She was an excellent cook, often hosting large family dinners on the holidays.  Homemade angel food cakes from her mother’s recipes, along with many recipes shared from the Holland family were some of the many highlights.  It was all good.  

Shirley loved to garden, everything from vegetables to flowers.   Meals generally included vegetables she had canned.  Many of her ornamental plants were “starts”, cuttings from plants others shared with her.  Her green thumb would turn them into beautiful fully-grown plants that adorned her beautiful yard.

In later years, Shirley became a caretaker to Donnie when his health failed.  Not many years after he passed, her memory began to fail and she spent the last few years of her life in assisted living at Clearwater, Kansas, near Kevin and his wife, Jenny.

On March 30, 2020, she left to meet her Savior.  In her heavenly home, she’s now rejoicing with her loved ones who went before and enjoying a healthy body and mind.Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, Lanta and Wilma (Terry) McIntire; husband, Donnie L. Holland; sister, Donice (Harold) Case.  She is survived by a son, Kevin (Jennifer) Holland, Clearwater, KS; and Buddy (Minnie) Terry, who she considered her brother.  Memorial: First Christian Church, 300 S. Main, Medicine Lodge, KS 67104. www.wsmortuary.com

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