Shirley Nadine Baublits, age 95, passed away on May 19, 2025, at the Fowler Healthcare Center, where she had resided for the past four years. Her final years were spent playing the piano and singing at church services, winning a few bucks at bingo, doing crafts, visiting with fellow residents, and receiving loving care from the staff.

Shirley was born on November 20, 1929, in Las Animas to Thomas and Myrtle Johnson. Her father passed away while she was a young girl, thus she and her younger brother Don were raised by their mother, who was the Bent County Treasurer for many years, and their aunt, Lola Campbell who was a school teacher. Shirley attended the Las Animas schools and was selected as the Santa Fe Trails Day queen her senior year.

Shirley married her high school sweetheart, Joe Dan Baublits, on April 9, 1953 in Las Animas. Their first home was in Lamar where they had many good friends and they experienced the birth of three children - Kevin Joel who died shortly after birth, Bruce Blake and Lucinda Kay. Joe was transferred to the Rocky Ford train depot in 1960 where they relocated to and lived for 62 years.

Upon arriving in Rocky Ford the couple immediately joined the First Baptist Church where they were active members up until their deaths. Shirley was a Sunday School teacher, sang in the choir, often played the piano or organ, loved being a member of the American Baptist Women's group and the 8-1-2 class, served as financial secretary and proudly was instrumental in the installation of the beautiful stained glass windows in the sanctuary.

Shirley worked for many years at the Mountain Bell office in Rocky Ford. After retiring she enjoyed bowling, gardening, golfing and volunteering to read with children in the lower grades. Many good times were spent with her sorority sisters. She and Joe spent many hours sitting in bleachers first cheering on their two children and then eventually their five grandchildren. She was lucky to have met and spent time with her current four great grandchildren. Traveling was also a favorite pastime in their retired years, especially going on cruises and bus trips with friends and senior groups.

Surviving family include son Bruce and Shelley Baublits of Creede, and daughter Cindy and Darren Abert of Rocky Ford. Grandchildren Matt Baublits (CA), Joel Baublits (CA), Nate Baublits (KS), Lane (Cassandra) Abert (KS) and Jaimie Abert (FL/TX).

Great grandchildren Easton, Nolan, Liam and Maddux Abert (KS).