Shirley Pentz

Shirley Jean Friesen Pentz entered eternal life with her Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ, in heaven this past Tuesday morning, October 22, 2019 at the age of 84.

Shirley was the first-born daughter to Willie and Bernice Friesen in Hutchinson, Kansas on June 26, 1935. Two daughters followed, Marilyn Wall, of Wichita, Kansas, and Wilma  Joy Frederick, of Bridgewater, Virginia.

Following high school graduation in Buhler, Kansas, Shirley resided in Lincoln, Nebraska where she was employed by Back to the Bible Broadcasting in the innovative work of data processing. Shirley and Ronald C. Pentz met at their local Missionary Alliance Church. Ron and Shirley were married May 12, 1956 in Buhler, Kansas. They lovingly celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary this year.  Their only daughter, Debra Ann, was born February 19, 1957. Shortly thereafter they relocated to Merriam, Kansas, where Ron continued his career in construction as a carpenter. Shirley worked in data processing at JC Penney for 36 years. Ron built their home in Shawnee, Kansas where they resided for 38 years.  They have been residents of Lakeview Village in Lenexa, Kansas since 2009.

Through these many happy years they were consistently active in their church as a close family.  They were faithful members of Merriam Bible Church which became Woodson Avenue Bible Church, and are presently members of Lenexa Baptist Church where Ron serves as a deacon. Shirley was been an enthusiastic member of Lenexa Baptist Church for 16 years.  She taught the 4s and 5s year old Sunday school class for 28 years at Woodson Avenue Bible Church.

Shirley was the very proud grandmother of three grandchildren, Jessica Sorn of Cincinnati, Ohio, twins Jason Sorn (Alexandra) of Lawrence, Kansas,  and Jennifer Sorn Pagel (Zachary) of Yukon, Oklahoma. Shirley was exceedingly proud and excited to have quadruplet grandsons born March 5, 2016. Bennett, Declan, Liam, and Harrison visited their great-grandmother bringing her tremendous joy and pride.

Shirley was instrumental in her granddaughter, Jessica’s, music career. In her retirement years, Ron and Shirley traveled extensively, going on several cruises and also by car. Her interests  included needlepoint, quilting, wood crafts with Ron, Lakeview Village activities, and faithful work with all local voting elections. Shirley’s life priorities were her unfailing faith in Jesus Christ as her Savior and her family including her extended family of nieces and nephews and their children.

Please join us in celebrating Shirley’s life, as we know by faith, we will be together again in heaven with her.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the children’s ministry of Lenexa Baptist Church.