Shirley Ann McWhirt Yakesch

Shirley Ann McWhirt Yakesch, 88, of Ellsworth, Kansas, passed away on Tuesday, March 10, 2026. She was born on April 30, 1937, on the family farm in rural Russell County, Kansas, to Edward and Emma (Galliart) Brack.

Shirley married Gayle McWhirt on September 15, 1962, and together they raised three children: Don, Raelene, and David. She later married Frank Yakesch, Jr. on January 16, 1998. A lifelong member of St. John Lutheran Church in Lincolnville, she began playing the church organ at an early age and continued for more than six decades. She remained deeply involved in the LWML and lived as a faithful servant of Jesus.

She is survived by her daughter Raelene Heitschmidt (Todd) of Holyrood, Kansas; son David McWhirt (Gina) of Franklin, Tennessee; grandchildren Tim Garth (Sarah), Ashley Chandler (Cody), Chelsea McWhirt (Nathan Elsey), Victoria Dillehay (Drew), and Samantha Marker (Kyle); and ten great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; first husband Gayle; second husband Frank; son Don McWhirt; daughter-in-law Deborah McWhirt; and brothers Everett and Orville Brack.