Ima Kaye Shaffer, 78, of Russell, Kansas, died on Tuesday, September 20, 2022, at the Russell Regional Hospital in Russell, Kansas.
Kaye was born on April 24, 1944, in Heber Springs, Arkansas, the daughter of Floyd and Ella A. (Ezell) Southerland. She grew up in Arkansas and at age 13 her family moved to Wichita, Kansas. She met, fell in love and was united in marriage to W.R. “Bub” Shaffer on December 20, 1986, in Russell, Kansas. Bub preceded her in death on December 21, 2003. After Bub’s death she spent many years with her companion Jim Young. Kaye worked as owner and operator of Shaffer Investments. She loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed gardening, cooking, playing guitar, decorating her home and taking good care of her cats. She especially enjoyed decorating her home for Christmas and other holidays throughout the year.
Surviving family include her son David Riley and wife Gina of Plainville, Kansas; daughter Linda Murphy and companion Eddie Gil of Hays, Kansas; sister Ruth Wheeler of Wichita, Kansas; 11 grandchildren, many great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews and her beloved cat Simon.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Bub Shaffer, 2 brothers, 2 sisters and 1 granddaughter.
A celebration of Kaye’s life will be held at 10 A.M. on Friday, September 23, 2022, at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Russell, Kansas with Pastor Michael Eurit officiating. Burial will follow at the Russell City Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1 P.M. to 8 P.M. on Thursday, September 22, 2022, at the mortuary with family greeting guests from 6 P.M. to 8 P.M. Thursday evening. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Humane Society of the High Plains and Russell County Food Pantry and sent in care of the mortuary. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.