Shirley Ann Hale

Shirley Ann Hale, 93, of Yukon, Oklahoma, passed away on July 29, 2026.

Her remarkable story began on February 28, 1933, in Americus, Kansas, where she was welcomed as the youngest of seven children born to William Irl and Mary Jane (Griffith) DeWesse. As a product of the “Dirty Thirties”, Shirley’s family packed eight people into a 1928 Buick and left Kansas behind after the passing of her mother. Together, they embarked on a historic journey through Oklahoma and out to Nevada, seeking a new beginning.

She eventually relocated with her dad to Indiana, where she graduated from Chrisney High School in 1951, bringing her natural spark and energy to the field as a drum majorette. After graduating high school, she went to work at the telephone company and eventually gave birth to her daughter, Anita, and her son, Aaron.

In 1971, Shirley ventured out and moved to Yukon, OK where she married Joe Fred Kouba, Jr and gave birth to her son, Joe the following year. They were married until she was widowed in 1977. A few years later, Shirley was blessed to find love again with Oda Hale and went on to marry him in 1981. Oda even adopted Shirley’s minor child, Joe and they were happily married until Oda passed in 2001.

Beyond her hard work and resilience, Shirley will be remembered for her fierce individuality, her wonderful sense of humor, and the joy she brought to her family. An avid book reader and the undisputed "Queen of Idioms," she always had the perfect phrase for any occasion. Her loved ones will forever share a warm laugh remembering that she was famously "directionally challenged," sometimes finding herself driving 40 miles in the wrong direction before realizing it.

In her later years, one of Shirley's greatest joys was spending time at the Yukon Senior Center, affectionately known by her and her friends as the "Wrinkle Club." There, she embraced life to the fullest. She loved playing games, traveling, dancing, exercising, taking casino trips, enjoying daily meals with friends, and even a memorable trip to go ziplining. She gave back to her community by volunteering during tax season, but her absolute favorite activity was participating in the center's plays, where she finally achieved her status as an "Actress."

Like the rest of the Greatest Generation, Shirley bled red, white, and blue. She wrote patriotic poems and celebrated the hard-earned freedoms that we take for granted far too often in this country every day of her life.

Shirley is survived by her loving family, who will miss her dearly: her daughter, Anita Slater and her husband, Denny, of Indiana; her sons, Aaron Curl and his wife, Betty, of Indiana, and Joe Kouba Hale of Yukon, Oklahoma.

She also leaves behind her cherished "Hale's Angels": Arthur and Amanda McElroy, Megan Braudrick, Amy Joyner, Cindy Synco, Billie Warsop, and the compassionate staff of Legacy Hospice, whose love, friendship, and care meant so much to her.

Shirley's remarkable legacy continues through her nine grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and eighteen great-great-grandchildren, all of whom brought her immense pride and joy.

She was preceded in death by her parents, William Irl and Mary Jane, as well as her six older siblings.

A viewing will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Monday, August 3, 2026. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at Yanda & Son Funeral Home Chapel, 1500 W. Vandament Avenue, Yukon, Oklahoma, with interment following at the Yukon Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the City of Yukon Senior Center, Yukon Mobile Meals, or a local library of your choice—organizations that were especially close to Shirley's heart.