Shirley Cawiezel

Shirley Cawiezel, age 79, of Morrill, Nebraska, passed away Monday, July 28, 2025, after a long illness. Her Celebration of Life will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, August 9, 2025, at the Morrill Elementary Gymnasium with Pastor Matt Gordon officiating. Private interment will take place at Forest Lawn Cemetery near Morrill. Memorials may be made to the Friends of the Morrill Public Library. Online condolences may be expressed by visiting Shirley’s obituary page viewable at www.reverencefuneralparlor.com.

Born November 1, 1945, Shirley was the second of five daughters born to Charles and Evelyn (Kemper) Onstine of Powell, Wyoming. She attended Northwest Community College in Powell and transferred to the University of Wyoming to complete her degree in education. While at the University of Wyoming she met her husband of 56 years, Fred Cawiezel.

Upon graduating, Shirley took a teaching job in Kemmerer, Wyoming and Fred was drafted. They were engaged and corresponded “the old-fashioned way”: writing letters. The couple married December 21, 1968, at the Presbyterian Church in Powell, Wyoming. Shirley soon joined Fred at his duty station in Ansbach, Germany, where the two made memories that were always recalled in joy and fondness.

Fred was discharged from the United States Army and together they made their home in Torrington, Wyoming where Shirley taught at Torrington High School for several years. The couple eventually settled on the family farm north of Morrill. To this happy, ornery union were born two happy and ornery children, Krista and Justin.

Shirley was both a beloved and sometimes feared teacher at Morrill Public Schools for thirty years where she taught English, speech, literature, and psychology. Shirley will be forever remembered as a passionate educator who believed the best in her students and expected them to meet her beliefs. Many did. She received several accolades in her career including the John Thurber Distinguished Teaching Award (1993) and the Gerald S. Oswald Outstanding Service Award (2010). Rivaling her passion for teaching was her commitment to the speech program at Morrill High School. She spent many happy hours coaching and judging speech competitions even into retirement.

Shirley’s granddaughters will remember her as their exacting sewing instructor, biggest cheerleader in any endeavor, and favorite mentor. Her children will remember her for the unconditional love and endless support provided.

We will all miss her latest book recommendations, commentary on current events, volunteer contributions to the community, her baked goods, sharing a cup of coffee, and getting a pep talk (or stern talking to - whichever was needed).

Shirley is survived by her husband of 56 years, Fred A. Cawiezel; children, Krista (Jerrel) Rector of Agate, CO and Justin (Jackye) Cawiezel of Gering, NE; granddaughters, Kaitlyn Rector, Lauren Rector, Erin Cawiezel, and Allison Cawiezel; sisters, Sharon Cope of Forsyth, MT, Charla Brenchley of Grand Coulee, WA, Susan (Darrel) Benner of Grand Coulee, WA, and Mary (Barry) Flom of Green River, WY; brother and sisters-in-law, Max and Bonnie Cawiezel of Morrill, NE, and Billie Cawiezel of Terrell, TX; as well as many nieces and nephews and great nieces and great nephews whom she loved very much.