Shirley J. Walker, 86, of Gothenburg, died May 18, 2019 in Gothenburg, NE. She was born February 3, 1933 in Seward, NE daughter of Edward and Emma (Cordes) Buehrer. One of her childhood memories was when her folks bought her a bike to try and get her out of the house since she was quite a bookworm.
Her family moved around a lot, they lived in many places but the place she remembered the most was “The Sioux Army Depot”. She graduated from High School in 1951 and in 1953 was honored to be crowned as the Queen of the Fort Sidney Days. Shirley was brought up in the Lutheran Church but later in life when she moved to Gothenburg, where she attended the E-Free Church and helped out with AWANAs.
Shirley married Ivan A. Walker on July 31, 1953 and they made their home south of Sidney on a farm where they raised their three children. She was a busy homemaker and farmer’s wife, bringing lunches to Ivan in the field and donning overalls to help with the pigs. Shirley and Ivan enjoyed playing cards, dancing and playing golf later in life.
Playing scrabble brought her so much joy, especially when she would beat you. She also enjoyed playing board games with her family. Shirley was famous for her homemade pizza and chocolate chip cinnamon rolls.
Collecting Beany Babies was a passion but she ended up giving most of them away to “grands” and charities. You could find Shirley crocheting baby blankets for grands and afghans for family members. After the passing of Ivan in 2000, she moved to Gothenburg to be closer to her family.
She acquired the name “Grandma Shirley” when helping Janet’s kindergarten students learning to read. She enjoyed bringing them stickers and orange cuties; riding her three-wheeled bike around the neighborhood; having popcorn and treats whether with apples, chocolate malts or wine, was something she loved. Shirley had a sassy personality, a great sense of humor and a distinctive contagious laugh.
One time in the movie theater, she was laughing and the next day a friend asked her daughter “was your mom at the movie last night, I recognized her laugh”. Because Shirley loved to visit with others, her family thought she should be a Walmart greeter – but then joked that nobody would ever get any shopping done. She was very proud of being a breast cancer survivor and participating in the Relay for Life event and the Susan B Koman Race for the Cure.
But what she loved the most was spending time with her family especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Upon entering Heaven, meeting Jesus and reuniting with her one and only love, Ivan, she will greet them with a wave of her dish towel and a great loud “yoo-hoo” I’m Home! Survivors include her children – son, Steven (Shannon) Walker of Clinton, WA; two daughters, Janet (Randy) Evans of Loveland, CO, Judy Madden of Alma, NE; ten grandchildren, 14 great grand children, brother Jerome (Suszi) Buehrer of Sidney, NE; along with many extended family and friends.
Shirley was preceded in death by her parents Ed and Emma; her husband Ivan; and three brothers – Grant, Gene and Dale. Visitation will be held at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel, Gothenburg, NE; Wednesday, May 22, 2019, 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm with the family present. Graveside Services will be held 11:00 am, Saturday, May 25, 2019 at Greenwood Cemetery, 2 Greenwood Rd, Sidney, NE.
Memorials may be given to the Gothenburg Meals on Wheels, or the Backpack program for Dudley Elementary, c/o Janet Evans, 3656 Como Court, Loveland, CO 80538.
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