Catherine Elizabeth (Shields) Neal

Catherine Elizabeth (Shields) Neal

June 16, 1927 - April 17, 2022

OBERLIN, Kan. — Catherine Elizabeth (Shields) Neal, 94, passed away on April 17, 2022, in Oberlin.

She was born on June 16, 1927, to Joseph John and Elizabeth Catherine (Schlageck) Schiltz in Angelus, Kan.

Catherine grew up in the Menlo and Hoxie area but graduated from Sacred Heart Academy High School in Wichita, Kan., in 1945. On Feb. 21, 1949, Catherine married Delbert Shields and to that union they had eight children. She enjoyed being a homemaker to her children. Catherine was a certified nurses aide, restorative aide and worked in respiratory therapy while working at the Decatur County Hospital. After working at the hospital, she worked in physical therapy at the Good Samaritan Society in Oberlin. She would later marry Varlan Neal on April 27, 2001, in Oberlin at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church. She was an active member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, where she was involved in the Altar Society and the Ladies Auxiliary. She also loved to sew, making all her grandchildren jean quilts, play BINGO and go fishing.

Catherine is survived by sons, Larry Shields of Lincoln, Neb., Lloyd (Clarice) Shields of McCook, Neb., Leslie (Dee) Shields of Lincoln, Lee Shields of McCook, Neb., and Alan Shields of Oberlin; daughters, Kathleen (Jay) Tschetter of Lincoln, and Charlene (Daren) Agan of Oberlin; 17 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Delbert Shields and Varlan Neal; daughter, Teresa Dowling; brother, Harold Schiltz; and sisters, Loretta Hayden, Mary Ann Seeberger, Florine Pritchard, and infant Elizabeth Catherine.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be on Friday, April 22, 2022, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Oberlin, at 10:30 a.m.

Visitation will be from 2-7 p.m., on Thursday, April 21, 2022, at Pauls Funeral Home, Oberlin. Rosary will be 7 p.m. Burial will be in the Selden Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Condolences can be left at www.paulsfh.com.

Pauls Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.