Shirley Louise VanMetre

Shirley VanMetre Shirley Louise VanMetre passed quietly on October 17, 2023 at the age of 93 years. She was born in Hayes, Kansas on January 11, 1930, the youngest daughter of The Rev. Clare VanMetre and Carrie Louise (Peters) VanMetre. She graduated from Wahoo High school in 1948. She then attended Luther Junior college for 2 years and graduated in 1950 with a teacher certificate in Elementary Education. She married Robert William Yarmon June 25, 1950 where her father officiated the ceremony in his Omaha church. She then joined the First Presbyterian Church in Wahoo the fall of 1950. The union of she and Bob resulted in three children, Stephen Robert, Janece Louise and Nancy Ann. Shirley's teaching career began at a country school, she then taught 3rd and 4th grade at Ceresco Public School. She worked for many years as a librarian at Wahoo Public Schools for many years and and Director at the Wahoo Public Library; she retired from that position in 1993. After her retirement from the public library, Shirley continued as a teacher's aide at District 23 and later worked at Reliable Services. Shirley was involved in many organizations in the Wahoo community; most prominent was her involvement in the First Presbyterian Church. She was an Elder, Deacon, member of the bell choir for 30 years (1990-2019), Sunday School Superintendent and teacher, Education and Youth Director, Christian Education Director, Westminister Presbyterian Women where she held the office of moderator, United Presbyterian Women, and was very active in the Bible Study group. She was also a Pythian Sister, a member of the Wahoo Mothers group, Extension Clubs and she regularly volunteered at the Historical Society in Wahoo. At the age of 89 years, Shirley continued to offer and teach exercise classes three times a week to residents at Westview apartments. Shirley is survived by her daughters Jan (Ray) Malousek of rural Wahoo and Nancy Tortora of Ridgefield, CT; grandsons Jeff Malousek of rural Wahoo, Peter Tortora ( Hershey, PA) and his fiancé Shefali Nagpal, Owen Tortora (Berkely, CA), formerly of Ridgefield, CT and granddaughter Kristy (Loren) Fortik of rural Wahoo. She had 5 great grandchildren: Tyson and Hailey Malousek, and Hudson, Hadley and Lucas Fortik. Shirley is preceded in death by her parents, sister Ethel Dedering, son Stephen Robert Yarmon, son-in-law Michael Tortora and grandson Matthew Robert Tortora. Funeral Services were held at First Presbyterian Church in Wahoo. She will be interred at Lincoln Memorial Cemetery in Lincoln. Memorials may be given to First Presbyterian Church. Pruss-Nabity Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.