Shirley May Walkenhorst

Shirley May Walkenhorst

S hirley May (Eyl) Walkenhorst passed away on July 29, 2025, at her home in Brighton, Colorado. She was born on May 19, 1929, to Otto and Hattie (Oetting) Eyl on a farm three miles south of Battle Creek, Nebraska. She was the youngest of four children. Shirley was baptized and began her elementary education at St. John Lutheran Church and School in Battle Creek, finishing her elementary education and confirmation at Trinity Lutheran Church and School in Madison, Nebraska. She graduated from Madison High School with the class of 1947.

In 1948, she married Neal Walkenhorst at Trinity Lutheran Church in Madison. A son, Michael Wayne, was born, and the family moved to Russell, Kansas, in 1949. Two more children joined the family-Roger Neal and Carla Jane-while living in Kansas. In 1956, they moved to Colorado, residing in the Fort Lupton and Brighton area. Another son, Kent Evan, completed the family in 1958.

Shirley took homemaking to an extraordinary level, growing, freezing, and canning most of the family's food from her giant garden in Fort Lupton. She spoke of still missing her raspberry bushes just a few weeks ago. She embraced grandparenting with gusto, and each of her grandchildren held a very special place in her heart. She loved to travel and was always willing to take off on a road trip or vacation. She had a little Yorkshire Terrier named Buddy who was her best friend through much of her retirement. Hopefully dogs go to heaven too-she missed him so.

Shirley volunteered as a Cub Scout den mother and Brownie Scout leader, as well as with many community and church organizations. She worked in a State Farm Insurance office for 12 years in Brighton and for Adams County Public Works for 15 years. She was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church, the Lutheran Women's Missionary League, Brighton Business and Professional Women, Eagle View Adult Center, Fort Lupton Senior Center, and the Shirley Club.

She is survived by her children: Michael Walkenhorst of Denver, Roger Walkenhorst of Raton, New Mexico, Carla Pollock of Loveland, and Kent Walkenhorst and his wife Kim of Fort Collins. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Brendon Walkenhorst of Parker, Jolyn Eastland and her husband Thomas of Robinson, Texas, Ashley Mauldin and her husband Kalen of New Castle, Joseph Pollock and his wife Lindsey of Fort Collins, and Whitney Walkenhorst and her husband Patrick Keehn of Fort Collins. Shirley was blessed with three great-grandchildren: Ava and Max Mauldin of New Castle, and Emma Eastland of Robinson, Texas. She also leaves behind many loving nieces and nephews.

Shirley was preceded in death by her husband, Neal Walkenhorst; her parents; her brothers, Arland Eyl of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and Norman Eyl of Big Thompson Canyon; and her sister, Marjorie Barrett of Madison, Nebraska.

There will be a memorial service at Zion Lutheran Church on Wednesday, August 6, at 11:00 a.m., with a luncheon to follow at the church. Neal and Shirley's final resting place will be at Fort Logan National Cemetery with a private family service in August. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Zion Lutheran Church. Shirley was a member of the church for 68 years.