Obituary of Shirley Gonser Huss

On August 20, 2016, Shirley Gonser Huss, 87, went to be with the Lord. She passed away peacefully to the words of “The Rock of Ages” in Nashville, TN. Shirley was born on September 27, 1928 in Moberly, Missouri to Harry and Gladys Gonser, their only child. She had a large extended family with many aunts, uncles and cousins. Her early years were on the family farm, until they moved into Moberly where her father owned a corner grocery store on Carpenter Street. Shirley loved music and sang in a quartet at church events, the Baptist campgrounds and on the local radio in her teens. She attended Hannibal-LaGrange College in Hannibal, Missouri and later, San Jacinto Junior College in Pasadena, Texas. In 1946 she married Elwyn Yeater and the couple had four children. The family lived in 12 states before settling in Houston, TX in 1962. After successfully raising her children, Shirley worked as an executive assistant to one of the original NASA Mercury Seven astronauts at Johnson Space Center in Clear Lake, TX. In 1975 Shirley married Carl Huss. Upon retirement after 20 years of service at NASA, she volunteered for numerous organizations – Meals On Wheels, Clear Lake United Methodist Church, Confederate Air Force, etc. One of her great joys was travelling. She visited all continents with the exception of Antarctica. Whatever she did – whether being a wonderful homemaker, an avid bowler, bridge player, or volunteer – she did it with excellence. Shirley will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and cherished friend. She touched the hearts of so many with her generosity and hospitality. Shirley was preceded in death by husbands, Elwyn Yeater (married 29 years) and Carl Huss (married 21 years) and great-granddaughter, Siena McCoy. She is survived by daughters and sons-in-law, Toni Fitzpenn (Bob) of Franklin, TN, Janet Harris (Darrell) of Franklin, TN, Pamela LeCompte (Charles) of Spring, TX, and son and daughter-in-law, David Yeater (Mitze) of Brentwood, TN, and step-son, Fritz Huss of Hockley, TX; 10 grandchildren: Jason Yeater, Joshua Yeater, Aubree Harris Veile, Chelsea Harris Hutchinson, Denae LeCompte McCoy, Logan LeCompte, Lacey LeCompte Beckering, Graham Fitzpenn, Devon Fitzpenn Glover, and Clint Huss; 12 great-grandchildren: Adria Veile, Emily Veile, Houston Veile, Harry Hutchinson, June Hutchinson, Alice Hutchinson, Caleb Yeater, Lilah Yeater, Jackson Yeater, Ada McCoy, Nolan Beckering and Auna Beckering. A memorial service will be held Saturday, August 27th at 2:00 pm at The Fountains of Franklin Assisted Living, 4100 Murfreesboro Road, Franklin, TN. Burial will take place Tuesday, September 6th at 10:00 am at Forest Park East, Houston, TX. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the NICU Palliative Care, Texas Health Resources Foundation, 1325 Pennsylvania Ave., Suite 800, Fort Worth, TX 76104. Place in “memo” of check: 1RNP – In Memory of Siena McCoy”.