Shirley Mae Kunz Toomer (88) was at home, surrounded by the love of family, as her spirit continued into the next life on August 11, 2025. Shirley lived exemplifying the values of family, acceptance, and love, deeply embedded from her youth on the Kunz Brothers Ranch in Altan Flat, Idaho. As a child, Shirley grew up on a sheep ranch with her mom Jennie, dad LeRoy, three brothers, and the love and support of an extended family, especially Uncle Dell. Shirley shared experiences of riding horses, sledding, and going to school in a one-room schoolhouse through 8th grade. Dancing and socializing with close friends were important to Shirley.
After Shirley graduated from high school in Montpelier, Idaho, she married John Junior Toomer in the Logan Temple on September 22, 1955. They settled in John’s hometown of Cokeville, Wyoming. Together, they raised their own three sons and one daughter with the same Kunz family values and added the values of honest work, integrity, and accountability. Shirley’s work experience ranged from her first paid job as a telephone operator to waitressing and then decades as head cook at the Cokeville Senior Citizen Center until retirement at age 72.
Her love of the outdoors, horses, and family continued throughout life, and she loved picnicking and camping with friends and family in the Smiths Fork and Big Spring areas of Wyoming and Island Park, Idaho. A skilled quilter, crocheter, spaghetti maker, pie baker, bunco player, baby holder, church-goer, and cold Pepsi drinker, Shirley lived a productive and happy life. Shirley’s civic service included being a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, LaVoy Thornock Unit #40. Temple worship as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints brought Shirley great peace.
Shirley’s presence and support for children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren at all their ages and stages—from birthdays to baptisms and as they participated in concerts, plays, sports, marriage, missions, vacations, and work experiences—kept the family united through happy times and times of great sorrow. Shirley now joins her husband John and entire Kunz and Nowland families, as well as grandson Philip Andrew Sorensen. Her legacy and values have the opportunity to live on through children John (Susan), Barbara (Andrew Sorensen), Don (Gwen), Brian (Karla), and posterity.
A funeral service will be held in Cokeville, Wyoming, on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at 10:30 am, with viewing from 9:00–10:15 am.