Shirley Mae Beck

Shirley M. Beck, 80, of Central City, died Tuesday, October 20, 2015 at Litzenberg Long Term Care in Central City. Funeral services will be Saturday, October 24, 2015 at 10 A.M. at Solt-Wagner Funeral Home (south location) with Pastor John Prettyman and Pastor Courtney Erzkus officiating. Visitation will be Friday, October 23, 2015 from 5 to 7 P.M. at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Bureau Cemetery by Pierce Chapel. Memorials are suggested to the family. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.soltwagnerfuneral.com. Shirley was born on May 5, 1935 in Harlan, Iowa to Frances and Gladys (Axlend) Rogers. She grew up near Council Bluffs where she attended school until she was in the 3rd grade. At this time her family moved to Central City, Nebraska. Her dad Francis died when she was 13, and her mother Gladys raised Shirley and her 5 brothers and sisters. She graduated from Central City High School in 1953. After graduation, she worked for a Telephone Company in Grand Island, Omaha and California. Shirley drove the school bus for Central City and Marquette school districts. When she drove the School bus, she became a favorite of many kids. She also worked at the D&D Malt Shop in Central City where she met her future husband, Wesley Beck. On December 7, 1962 she married Wesley Beck. The couple lived on the Beck family farm until 1974 when they moved to a farm close to Lake Mary Ranch Camp (now Timberlake Ranch Camp). Wes and Shirley had 3 kids, Kathy, Wesley Jr and Daniel. Along with caring for her kids, she enjoyed helping Wes around the farm. Shirley loved to be around family and friends. They were her pride and joy. Grandkids spent hours of playing and putting on dress up productions, and sleepovers were her joy. Shirley was a lifelong member of Grace Lutheran Church. She supported the family’s passion for horses with many trail rides across Nebraska. She spent a lot of her time cooking and baking. Her chocolate cake and homemade buns were everyone’s favorite. Shirley’s love of cooking was shared as she cooked at Community Care Center and Central City School Cafeteria. She would play games to entertain her and friends. Cards and board games were her favorite. Shirley loved to travel. She enjoyed delivering cars for snowbirds. She made many trips from coast to coast to see the countryside with her family. Shirley is survived by her daughter Kathy (Jerry) Kuck of Central City; 2 sons, Wesley Jr. ( Vickie) Beck of Central City, Dan (Jenny) Beck of Hordville; 11 grandchildren, Stephanie (Gordon) Fehringer, Jacey (Steven) Schwarz, Katie (Josh) Schnitzler, Sam Kuck (Alex Hosier), Derek (Tina) Beck, Jessica (Heath) Reimers, Chelsey (Daniel) Schwarz, Kylie (Zach) High, Morgan Beck, Hannah Beck, Taylor Beck ; 13 great-grandchildren, and one on the way; 2 sisters, Ginger Merritt of Central City and Mary (Jim) Blair of Omaha; 1 brother, Marwin (Joanne) Rogers; close family friends Lowell and Lorraine Harris. Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, husband Wesley, brothers; Dick (Jane) Rogers, Gerald (Janice) Rogers, brother-in-law Trueman Merritt.

Shirley Mae Beck

May 5, 1935 - October 20, 2015