Shirley Jean Wilbert, 82, passed away unexpectedly on Oct. 26, 2024, at her home in Pittsburg, KS. Shirley was born on Sept. 26, 1942, to Everett and Irene (Lucietta) Rose. She was a cheerleader and a graduate of Mindenmines High School in 1960. She also worked at The Bank of Minden for several years.
She married the love of her life and her best friend, James A. Wilbert (Jimmy) on June 18, 1966, in Pittsburg, KS at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. The two of them, along with Ron and Melva Wilbert, opened Mo-Kan Dragway in 1962. Shirley and Jimmy were wonderful parents and raised one daughter together, Jami.
Shirley was the definition of a successful, hard-working business entrepreneur. Along with managing Mo-Kan, she obtained her cosmetology license and opened several beauty shops. She also built The Barn At Timber Cove in 2013. Her legacy is best known for selling clothing and formal wear on Broadway to multiple generations for the last 50 years. She owned and operated The Jean Scene for three decades. She also established Rosa Bella and has owned it for the last 22 years. She was a devout Catholic, very strong in her faith and the matriarch of her family. Shirley, better known as Mimi, always put her family and loved ones first. She never missed an opportunity to watch her grandchildren’s sports and activities. She was a worldwide traveler and was always up for an adventure. She also loved going shopping, spending time outside gardening, trying new recipes and was an amazing baker.
Shirley is survived by one daughter, Jami Patterson of Pittsburg, KS; her grandchildren, Jordan and husband, Robby Muter of Girard, KS, Jaden and wife, Madison Patterson of Lawrence, KS, Jaycee Patterson of Pittsburg, KS and Jesse Patterson of Pittsburg, KS; her great-grandchildren, Rhett, Dayton and Jimi Muter, all of Girard, KS; a brother and sister-in-law, Gary and Wisha Rose of Montgomery, TX; a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Bill and Vicki Wilbert of Pittsburg, KS; sister-in-law, Marilyn Rose of Mindenmines, MO; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and older brother, Jackie Ross.
Mass of Christian burial will be Wednesday, Oct. 30, at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Pittsburg, KS with Fr. Robert McElwee as celebrant. The Holy Rosary will be prayed at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 29, at Our Lady of Lourdes. The family will receive friends following the rosary.