Shirley Ann Wilhelm, one of four children of Lloyd and Anna (Sherrard) Zimmerman, was born December 18, 1937, in Sabetha, Kansas. Shirley grew up and attended school in Sabetha, graduating from Sabetha High School in 1955.
On July 21, 1956, Shirley was united in marriage to Lloyd E. Wilhelm. The couple made their home in Verdon, Nebraska and would be blessed with 5 children: Patricia, Michael, Bonnie, Bertha, and Connie.
Shirley worked for a time at the Campbell Soup Factory in Tecumseh. She then was employed as a seamstress at Ideal Cleaners in Falls City. Shirley also served as the “town seamstress” and did a lot of sewing out of her own home, serving Verdon and the surrounding community for any sewing and alteration needs. Sewing was Shirley’s passion, if not her mission in life. Her sewing skills and generosity were on open display through the thousands of clothing items she made for family, friends and many others.
Shirley attended St. Mark’s Lutheran Church south of Verdon. After retirement, she and Lloyd enjoyed taking trips to Alaska, the East Coast, Colorado, and the Black Hills. Any trip out of town included a stop at the fabric store so Shirley could add to her collection of materials. Shirley’s life centered around family and a small circle of close friends. She invested lots of time and energy into caring for those around her. She did her best in life to make her home a safe and welcoming place. Shirley was always willing to share her knowledge and her opinion, whether you asked her or not. She was always honest and was easy to talk to, but she wouldn’t hesitate to tell you when you were better off without. One not so subtle way of doing so was when she would say “you need another one of ‘those’ like you need a hole in the head!”
When her health no longer allowed her to stay at home, Shirley moved to the Falls City Nursing and Rehab Center. Shirley enjoyed her time at Falls City Nursing and Rehab, being able to partake in the many activities offered and especially the wonderful care she received while there. Shirley was admitted to the Community Medical Center in Falls City, where she continued to receive excellent care. It is there that Shirley passed away on Sunday, September 29, 2024, having reached the age of 86 years, nine months, and 11 days. She was preceded in death by her mother Anna Zimmerman, father and step-mother Lloyd and Laura Zimmerman, son-in-law Billy Muse, brothers Larry and Dale Zimmerman, and sister Helen Malloy.
Those left to remember her caring ways include her children Patricia (Ron) Rash of Morrill, KS, Michael Wilhelm of Verdon, Bonnie Muse of Humboldt, Bert (Dan) Cochran of Bloomington, IL, Connie Wilhelm of Normal, IL; grandchildren Wade Lowe, Derek Cochran, Michelle (Sean) Jette; great-grandchildren Arrison Lowe, Ashlynn and William Jette; other relatives and friends.
Shirley’s wishes were to be cremated with no services held.
Hemmingsen Funeral Home of Auburn was in charge of arrangements.
