The world is a bit dimmer today, but the heavens have brightened with the passing of Kim Ellen Short. Many spend years trying to find a life purpose or meaning. Kim was born to Ralph Leroy Young and Lynne Maxine (Reeder) Young-Studier on March 13,1962 in Wichita, KS, with every part of her being ready to become a Nurse/Caregiver/ Mom like her mother.
Kim’s early life was spent in Texas and Oklahoma with even a brief time in Weatherford where she attended kindergarten. Upon the passing of her father, Kim moved to Weatherford with her mother and sisters.
Within a year or two of attending Weatherford High School, Kim’s certainty of her future led her to find the clueless boy she would build her life with. He, however, took a bit longer to realize this destiny.
When he finally called to make a date to see the movie Grease at the Vesta Theater, the adventure called life began for her and Jeff Short.
Kim graduated with the uniquely talented Weatherford Eagle Class of 1980 having already started concurrent enrollment at SWOSU with a Nursing Degree in mind.
Kim married her high-school sweetheart at the beginning of her Senior year of Nursing School on August 6, 1983 letting Jeff believe it was his idea they should wed.
She graduated with her Bachelor Degree of Nursing in 1984 as a proud SWOSU Bulldog. Shortly after graduation she passed her Board Exams to become a Registered Nurse.
Kim took her nursing career ever-so seriously, quoting the Nurse Practice Act, ethics and responsibilities as if words from the Most High, however, she connected with patients on a deeply personal level.
After a short tenure at the Weatherford Memorial Hospital, Kim took a job with the OK Department of Health as a Public Health Nurse.
In the late 1980’s Kim was selected to be one of several nurses for the Department to begin a new program to bring advanced health services to underserved areas of the state through Pediatric Nurse Practitioners.
With her cohorts, she attended courses daily at the University of Colorado at Denver for many months and finished a clinical practicum the following year leading her to the position of Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner-Pediatric Nurse Practitioner.
Although still the ultimate professional nurse in every sense, Kim reveled in caring for and loving thousands of children she saw in her clinics throughout western Oklahoma. Many images, pictures, and memories are of Kim in the clinic floor playing and entertaining a toddler or child while she assessed and rendered care. She could comfort an ailing child so quickly by searching for piggies in the ear or showing them her fun otoscope.
Kim started her family in 1990 with a baby girl and then another.
She was as talented a mother as she was a career nurse. A baby boy and then another girl in 1997 completed the family. She was a staunch advocate of natural childbirth without aid of anesthetics having taught childbirth courses at SWOSU and being a voice for breastfeeding moms as a lactation consultant through the Health Department, believing in Nature’s plan as the best way to raise children.
After finding her niche as a Mother and PNP, Kim had always desired a Master of Nursing degree. While being Mom to the young kids, career nurse, and heavily involved in the Weatherford Soccer Boosters, Kim completed her Master’s degree at night sleeping little and giving her all. She was humble, unassuming, with Super Woman’s vitality and power.
After four decades of Nursing, Kim retired from the OK State Department of Health. She enjoyed children, the outdoors, OKC Philharmonic concerts, children, dinner dates with Jeff, children, and most of all her children.
Kim is survived by her high school love, Jeff; her daughter Kelley Short of Weatherford with grandchildren Lynne and Kade Yoder; her daughter Tiffany Dyson, husband Matt, and grandtwins Lynne and Louis of OKC; son Stephen Short of Web City, MO; and daughter Sarah Burchett, husband Eric, and grandson Carson of Hinton. All her daughters work in the medical field with two being nurses like their Mom. She is also survived by her mother, Lynne Young-Studier of Weatherford; sister Kristi Murphy with husband, Richard; and sister Keri Jackson with husband Robert.
She was preceded in death by her father, Ralph, and her stepfather, John Studier.
On January 14th of 2026 all the children, babies, and infants of heaven received our most precious gift of Nurse Kim. Toddler teddy bear dances and silly song marathons with maybe even a rendition of two of the Star-Spangled Banner have begun.
Funeral services for Kim will be held at the First United Methodist Church today at 10:00 A.M. with Lynn Brack and Allen Carson officiating.
Burial will follow in Greenwood Cemetery under the direction of Lockstone Funeral Home.