Shirley J Jorgensen

Shirley J. Jorgensen, 95, of North Loup passed away on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at Palmer, Nebraska.

Shirley Jean was born February 10, 1930, near Merna in Custer County, Nebraska to Arthur C. and Rebecca J. (Halliwill) Sterner. She was raised in rural Merna and graduated from Merna High School.

Shirley continued her education at Kearney State College and graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education. On March 8, 1952, Shirley and Steven Jorgensen were united in marriage at Columbus, Nebraska. The couple was blessed with five children, Rebecca, Rickie, Daniel, Kent and Cory and Shirley welcomed Steve's daughters, Pauline and Ruth. The family lived in various Nebraska towns before settling in North Loup in 1961.

Shirley taught elementary school, English, Home Economics and remedial education in many area towns. For over 25 years she worked for the Headstart program. Following retirement she volunteered at the North Loup Library.

Shirley was a member of the United Methodist Church and the American Legion Auxiliary. She enjoyed painting, fishing and vegetable and flower gardening. She attended auctions and collected whatever her current fancy was.

Survivors include one daughter, Rebecca Kolar of Palmer; four sons, Rickie and Julie of Ranson, West Virginia, Daniel of North Loup; Kent and Melinda of North Loup and Cory and Patty of Chesapeake, Virginia; two step-daughters, Pauline Barlow of Ewing and Ruth Sauer of Casper, Wyoming; seven grandchildren; 8 step-grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; and one sister, Ardis Martin of Walla Walla, Washington.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Steven; a son-in-law, Eugene Kolar; two infant grandchildren; two infant great-great-grandchildren; a brother Marvin Sterner; and two sisters, Eunice Price and Virginia Peterson.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 29, 2025, at the North Loup United Methodist Church. Private Inurnment will be in the Hillside Cemetery at North Loup.

Memorials are suggested to the Family's Choice to be designated later.

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