Jewel Dean Shults

Jewel Dean Shults, 80, Butler, passed away Wednesday, May 20, 2009, in Willow Lane Nursing Center in Butler. She was born Oct. 9, 1928, to Carl August Herman and Mabel Rena Greene Nitsche in Roscoe.

Jewel, one of four children, grew up on a farm near Roscoe where the Big Osage River flows. She graduated as valedictorian from Roscoe High School in 1946 and anxiously awaited getting away from the farm and moving to Kansas City.

Jewel attended the Kansas City Business School. On Nov. 24, 1948, she was united in marriage to Vernon Jay Shults.
Jewel’s first job was that of secretary to the mail order auditor at Sears and Roebuck. In October of 1952 she moved with her husband to New Orleans, LA. She and Vernon had their own State Farm Insurance Agency for 35 years. After retiring and moving to Foxwood Springs Retirement Community in Raymore, she later took on a volunteer position in the Alzheimer’s unit, bringing great pleasure to those who needed manicures.

Jewel was a member of the Butler First Christian Church, Hickman Mills Memorial Post #598, Order of Eastern Star and the American Legion Auxiliary.

Jewel enjoyed golf, hunting and watching the Lifetime and Hallmark channels. When able, she liked traveling, shopping for the perfect outfit and accessorizing, dining out with family and friends and most importantly, sharing her stories and pictures of her travels around the world. Jewel was at times a bit skeptical and always added a grain of salt – she even obtained her private pilot license in 1969.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Vernon J. Shults; brother, Myrle Linn Nitsche; sister, Wilma Jean Keeton; and a nephew, Stanley Keeton.

Jewel is survived by her brother, Carl H. Nitsche Jr. and wife, Jewel Dene – Osceola; special niece, Carla Nitsche Keough and husband, John, and their children, Amanda, Amy, Vanessa and Clemente – all of Butler; nephews – Carl Eugene Keeton and wife, Sherri – Stilwell, KS, Craig Keeton and wife, Nancy – Spokane, WA, Carl D. Nitsche and wife, Pam – Mission, KS, Herman Nitsche and wife, Anne – Appleton City, Myrle Linn Nitsche Jr. and wife, Phyllis – Butler, Kevin Nitsche and wife, Patty – Butler, and Brent Nitsche and friend, Amy – Chandler, AZ; two sisters-in-law, Bonnie J. Nitsche – El Dorado Springs, and Marguerite Shults – Kansas City; several cousins; other great-nephews and great-nieces, business associates, and a host of friends.
Graveside services and burial under the direction of Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel were held Monday, May 25, in Springfield National Cemetery with Rev. Chris Conklin officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Butler Senior Center, Butler First Christian Church or Heartland of Willow Lane Activity Fund. Online condolences may be left at www.schowengerdtchapel.com.