Shirley Jean Sterner, 87, passed away at her home on Tuesday, April 18, 2023.
She was born on September 5, 1935 in Alliance, Nebraska to Emil and Moreta (McCart) Schwaderer.
Shirley is survived by her daughter Jean Marie Sterner (Tim) of Denver, numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.
She was one of eight (6 girls and 2 boys) children born into a loving and hardworking family. She graduated from Alliance High School and remained in Alliance until she married the love of her life, Jack Wayne Sterner. They married in Alliance on January 17, 1953 and moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado. Jack was deployed to fight in the Korean War and wrote to his new bride every day.
After returning home from the war the couple moved to the Dove Ranch near Angora, Nebraska in the late ‘50s. They raised their children, Roger and Jean, on the ranch before moving into Alliance in 1979.
She joined the Alliance Daycare in 1980 as their cook and then cooked for the Senior Center for 23 years before retiring on June 1, 2007. She was a member of the Eagles Club and Legion Auxiliary as well as a volunteer with RSVP.
If there was a country dance around the couple were most likely there spinning each other around on the dance floor. She loved a good card game and spending time with family and friends. She was a caregiver to those she loved. She also had a bit of a sweet tooth so if you visited Shirley, you could count on cake, pie or a cookie to go with your coffee. She was also known to sneak an Oreo cookie or two and ice cream often. She loved the Broncos and the Huskers but not with a lot of people around because then she couldn’t focus on the game.
She was preceded in death by her husband, son, parents and all seven of her siblings.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, April 25, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at the Bates-Gould Chapel. Pastor Russell Saito will officiate. Burial will be in the Alliance Cemetery. Visitation with the family present to greet friends will be held Monday, April 24, 2023 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorials may be given to the Nebraska Children’s Home, Attn: Donations, 4939 S. 118th Street, Omaha, Nebraska, 68137.
Online condolences may be left at www.batesgould.com. Bates-Gould Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.