Kiel, Shirley M. (Bugel)

Shirely M. Kiel, Fortified with the Sacraments of Holy Mother Church, passed peacefully at home on Wednesday, February 11, 2026. Beloved wife of Thomas (Tom) Bugel, loving daughter of the late Joseph and Julia Walter; dear sister of the late Richard Walters and infant sister Joan; dearest mother of Karol Kiel (fiancé Gene Hooks) and the late Linda (late David) Vaughn; loving grandmother of Lisa (Jon) Sandretti, Laura Marsh, Alex and Elliott Vaughn; dearest great-grandmother (Nana) of Julian and Teddy Sandretti; dear sister-in-law of Joanne (late Bill) Moran and the late infant Joan Ellen Bugel; and dearest cousin and friend to many.

Paramount in Shirley’s life was prayer. She totally embraced Jesus’ advice to the Apostles to pray always without becoming weary. Among other devotions, the Rosary, multiple prayers of St. Gertrude for the holy souls in purgatory, a 3:00 pm intercession and extended evening intentions were a daily ritual. There was weekend Mass and a Holy Hour of Adoration on Mondays. Anytime a family member was suffering from some affliction Shirley would pray that God would spare them their pain and let her suffer for them. Some of her suffering was from a chronic case of shingles that attacked her sciatic nerve. That pain was described by an acquaintance with the same malady as “the worst charley horse you ever had – times 10.”

But between bouts of shingles Shirley liked to get out and have fun. She was a night owl and she and husband-to-be, Tom, frequented a number of South St. Louis night spots.  Two in particular were the Bavarian Inn and Eisele’s Black Forest Restaurant. Back in the late 1970s Shirley earned a nickname as the “ice lady” at both establishments for ordering her beer with ice cubes. The first time she placed that order with the bartender at the Bavarian Inn, he asked in astonishment: “why would anyone want to ruin a perfectly good glass of beer by putting ice cubes in it?”  As a night owl, Shirley had her own question. “Why would the patrons of any nightspot leave before the 1:30 am closing time?”

Shirley was a life-long animal lover. She and family members, especially her brother Richard, took in countless stray dogs, cats and other of God’s creatures. Whether driver or passenger, it was not unusual for Shirley to stop the car to rescue an animal.

At home, Shirley’s favorite pastime was decorating for the various seasons. She had different tablecloths, candles, wreaths and holiday themed accessories throughout the house. Her favorite family celebrations were Christmas and Easter. Shirley took immense joy in watching her two great-grandsons Julian and Teddy discover what was in their Christmas stockings and at Easter seeing who could find more of the hidden Easter eggs.

As a young adult Shirley had a strong interest in civic and political affairs and she worked in various election campaigns. Later in life she was a stalwart supporter of neighborhood schools.  In the 1980’s the long-term viability of neighborhood schools was of concern to many city residents, including Shirley. So, she and three like-minded friends sought election to four open seats on the St. Louis Board of Education.  They won three of the four seats for six-year terms. Shirley garnered the most votes of the four winning candidates. The Honorable Shirley Kiel was subsequently elected by her fellow board members to a term as Board Secretary.  She received the Phyllis Schlafly Eagles award for Good Education. Shirley also was commended by a 1992 St. Louis Board of Alderman Resolution for her successful effort to establish School Safety Zones with signage at more than 30 public, parochial or private schools in the City of St. Louis.

Services: Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, March 11, 2026 at 11:00 am, at Assumption Catholic Church, 4725 Mattis Rd., St. Louis, MO 63128. Interment immediately after at Assumption Cemetery, on the parish grounds, with luncheon to follow in Church hall.

In lieu of flowers, Masses preferred; donations may be made to Our Lady of the Snows; St. Jude Children’s Hospital; Tenth Life Cat Rescue; Open Door Animal Sanctuary; Stray Rescue.