Shirley Ann Gause

Shirley Ann Gause, 81, of West Lafayette, passed away on Monday, February 23, 2026, at Cumberland Pointe Health Campus.

She was born December 2, 1944, in Decatur, IN, to the late Clarence and Lucille (Rickord) Painter. Shirley graduated from Decatur High School.

Her first marriage was to Thane Custer. They were married for 27 years and had one daughter, Tiffany Custer Lechuga.

She married Steven Gause in 1996, and they were married for 14 years until his death in 2010.

Shirley retired from GTE Phone Company and was an avid reader, loved flowers, particularly roses and calla lilies, her family, and Tom Selleck.

She is survived by her children, Tiffany Custer Lechuga (Phillip), Karen Rapson (Chris), Steven Gause, Jim Marshall (Nancy), and her sister, Wanda Selking (Jerry).

She is also survived by her grandchildren, Gabriel and Donovan Lechuga, Nick and Anthony Baron, Lauren and Noah Rapson, Matthew Rapson (Olivia), Julie Knight (Adam), Samantha and Jessica Bradburn, and eight great-grandchildren.

Shirley was preceded in death by her first husband, Thane Custer, her second husband, Steven Gause, and her siblings, Harold Painter (Cindy, also deceased), and Steve Pickford.

A celebration of life will be held from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at Soller-Baker Lafayette Chapel, 400 Twyckenham Blvd. Lafayette.

Memorial contributions may be made to Humane Society for Greater Lafayette.