Shirley Joan (North) Mai, 78 of Russell died Monday, September 26, 2011 at the Hays Medical Center in Hays, Kansas.

Shirley was born October 11, 1932 in Bush City, Kansas the daughter of Herman A. and Hazel (Woods) North.  She started growing up in Bush City until the 1940’s when Shirley and her family moved to Russell.  She graduated from Russell High School in 1950 and attended a year at Ft. Hays College.

Shirley met, fell in love and was united in marriage to Paul A. Mai on May 13, 1953 at the First Congregational Church in Russell.  This union was blessed with three children; Randal, Gregory and Nancy.  They made their home in Russell.

Shirley was a bookkeeper for Harold Dumler, Jay Sweeny Broker, Don & Darlene Woelk, Mahoney Implement and Easter Davis Welding.  She retired in 1986.

Shirley was a member of St. John Lutheran Church.  She also belonged to the Ladies Auxiliary of the VFW Post #6240 of Russell.  She loved the church quilting group, the meditation garden of the church, bird watching, fishing, croqueting, collecting wild flowers and traveling around the U.S. with Paul in their RV.

Surviving family include her husband of 58 years, Paul of the home; sons, Randal Paul Mai and wife Assela of Ardmore, Oklahoma and Gregory A. Mai of Russell, Kansas; daughter Nancy Gail Mai of Hays, Kansas; four grandchildren, Wayne Mai, Brian Mai, Elizabeth Mai and George Philip VI; and five great grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Herman S. North and great granddaughter Krystal Mai.

Celebration of Shirley’s Life will be held at 2:00 PM Monday, October 3, 2011 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell.  Burial of ashes will follow at the St. John Lutheran Cemetery in Russell.  Visitation will be from Noon to 8 PM Sunday at the mortuary with the family present to greet friends from 6 PM to 7 PM.  A memorial has been established with Hospice of Hays.  Contributions and condolences may be sent in care of Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary who is in charge of these arrangements.