Shelli Rae Blackburn, 61, passed away December 8, 2020, at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center.  She was born October 20, 1959, in Hutchinson, to Raymond and Elaine (Simpson) King.

Shelli graduated from Nickerson High School early in 1977, to attend Hutchinson Community College. For several years, she was secretary at St. Teresa's Catholic Church, Hutchinson, prior to working as a pharmacy technician at Ashcraft Pharmacy, South Hutchinson.  Shelli was a master of Wheel of Fortune, read plenty of romance novels, enjoyed watching the University of Kansas basketball team, doing crossword puzzles, Sudoku, camping with her family, and cultivating flowers.  Her chocolate chip cookies developed cult status among family and friends.

Shelli was unwavering in her nurturing devotion to those she loved – a distinction that included many, and always had room for one more.  She was the No. 1 fan for many Hutchinson area bands – musical efforts first of her brother, Brent, and husband, Mike, and ultimately of her sons, Justin and Brandon.  Suffering many and impossibly loud band rehearsals, Shelli became a mother to the many who passed her doorstep and, moreover, a friend.  Behind her easy smile and sparkling eyes resided a searching and creative mind, always eager to engage, to solve, to cultivate, while betraying just enough mischief.

On February 2, 1980, she married Michael Linn Blackburn, at the Mitchell Chapel United Methodist Church, Hutchinson.  They shared over 40 years of marriage.

Shelli is survived by:  her husband, Michael Blackburn of South Hutchinson; sons, Justin (April Mok) Blackburn of Alton, IL, and Brandon (Jenny) Blackburn of Naples, FL; and brother, Brent (Sandy) King of South Hutchinson.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and a brother, Bruce King.

Celebration of Life gathering will be Saturday, June 4, 2022, from noon to 2 p.m., at the South Hutchinson Community Center, 101 W. Avenue C, South Hutchinson.  Please join us in celebrating the life of Shelli, ever-loving and ever-loved daughter, sister, wife, mother, and friend.  We will be sharing tributes and tales, memories and music, to laugh, to cry, to smile, to fortify the bonds she wove in all our lives.  There will be beverages and light eats.  Please stop by and share a story or write down a favorite memory of Shelli and/or a photo to drop in our memory jar.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Hospice House, Hutchinson, or the donor's choice, in care of Elliott Mortuary and Crematory, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.