Shirley Mae Arthur Nickell

Shirley was born April 7, 1930, in Marsland, Nebraska to Earnest L. Parker and Marie M. Martin Parker. At a young age, the family moved to Wyoming and then ended up in Palisade, Colorado where she grew up on the family peach orchard. She was one of eleven children of Earnest and Marie. She had three siblings pass away at a very young age, so she grew up with four brothers and three sisters.

On August 15, 1948, she married Donald Edward Arthur of Rifle, Colorado where they lived and had a daughter, Donna Marie Arthur, on April 27, 1949. After four years they moved to Boulder, Colorado, gave birth to their son, Douglas Marvin Arthur, on May 24, 1953. Shirley and Donald lived a great life giving back. They were both vary active in the 4-H program in Boulder County, Colorado. They lived on a small farm and raised and milked cows for several years, raised beef cows, hogs, chickens and sheep. Through 4-H she was very helpful not Just to her kids but all of Boulder County through the sewing program and sheep showing.

Shirley also worked at the school district as a cook at Pleasant View Schools and then later at the junior high school.

On August 27, 1973, her son Douglas was killed at the age of 20 in a car wreck. Then in early 1985, Shirley and Donald moved to Dodge City, Kansas to be close to their daughter Donna and son-in-law Ray "Odie" Harvey and their two sons, Corey Ray Harvey born November 15, 1972, and Michael Douglas Harvey born March 2, 1978. She was the best grandmother; she gave of her time and love to them all. She was loved by her nieces and nephews and was always there if they need something.

On April 4, 1990, her husband Donald passed away. Shirley kept herself busy in the years that followed by teaching line dancing at the senior citizens in Dodge City and was loved by everyone.

Twelve years after Donald passed, she remarried to another great man, Verdie Nickell, of Dodge City, KS. He passed away in 2010.

In August 2010 she moved to McLoud, OK to live closer to her daughter Donna and family. She had a good long life and lived independently for years. In the last couple of years, she has lived in assisted living. She went through a tornado that took out her first assisted living location and then moved to another. She passed quietly and in no pain on Tuesday, November 18, 2025.

She was proceeded in death by her son, Douglas, her husband Donald and her second husband Verdie. She was also proceeded in death by her parents, her brothers, Hank, Lloyd and Earnest Jr., and her sisters, Loretta, Bythel and Farris.

She is survived by her daughter Donna and son-in-law Ray, grandsons, Corey and Michael, great-grandchildren Gage Harvey, Zachary Harvey, Brice Harvey, Caleb Harvey, Cole Harvey, and Lillie Harvey. She is also survived by her brother Marvin Parker and too many nieces and nephews to mention. She loved all her family and was loved by all that knew her.