Traverse City Record-Eagle

Archive: Sunday

December 23, 2012

Shirley Mae Nieboer

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FRANKFORT — Shirley danced and sang her way into heaven while on vacation in California on Nov. 21, 2012. She left behind Niel Haugen and Jocelyn Gray in California after a wonderful week on California's Central Coast. Shirley made new friends while Red Hatting with Jocelyn, ate her favorite meal, hot dogs at Costco, visited California's largest farmers market at San Luis Obispo, ate clam chowder at Pismo Beach, followed by a walk through a Monarch butterfly grove, watched surfers and sea otters on the Pacific Ocean in Morro Bay, "shopped till you dropped" at resale shops, and found pants with studs, that fit! She was so excited to see palm trees! After taking in two tours at Hearst Castle, the Imax movie and of course, a hot dog, the evening was spent dining under the stars with filet mignon, wine and the wonderful company of Niel and Jocelyn, and arm and arm singing and laughing all the way back to their suite where Shirley passed away. Upon arriving in heaven, we are all sure, she and Vicki Haugen, her sister, are on "one fantastic shopping trip, and their glasses are always full!" A trip to complete a lifetime of excitement, romance and family, Shirley lived a full life!

Born Jan. 6, 1938, and growing up in Fremont, the daughter of Janet "Nettie" and Bernard "Bern" Nieboer, Shirley was the older sister to Bernie, Teddy and Vicki, to complete the Nieboer family.

During high school Shirley worked at Fremont Hospital and developed a lifelong passion for helping people. She attended and completed her Licensed Practical Nursing degree at Pine Rest Nursing Homes in Grand Rapids. After some time Shirley felt the need to grow and moved to Minneapolis, Minn., to attend airline stewardess school. After completion, Shirley found that her true love was nursing and returned to nursing and started a lifelong career at First Christian Nursing Home in Minneapolis, spanning over 40 years, retiring as head of medical records.

During Shirley's early days at First Christian Nursing Home she had the good fortune to meet the love of her life, Andy Morgan. Shirley and Andy spent the next 40-plus years together until his passing in August of 2010. Many wonderful hours together were spent at estate sales, flea marketing, yard sales and camping. Shirley and Andy would pack up their Honda 90 and head north to the boundary waters and camp on secluded rocks. Good family times and fond memories were made at Rich's cottage, Andy's brother.

Shirley, after Andy's passing, moved to Frankfort to care for her sister, Vicki, until her passing in December of 2010. While in Frankfort Shirley made many new friends and enjoyed her outings with them. Shirley and Vicki will be sorely missed by their good friends, Denise Strom and Gretchen Carlson! They enjoyed many hours on shopping trips, lunches and just being together.

Shirley was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, where she participated in worship, ladies groups and made lasting friendships.

Surviving are nieces, Alicia Parente, of Ohio, Stacey Thomas, of Mesa, Ariz., and Marci Ruderman of Houston, Texas; nephews, Mike Nieboer, of California, and Teddy Nieboer, of Mt. Clemens; aunts, uncles and cousins in Fremont; and very special cousins, Sherry Becker, of Grand Haven, and Max and Ann Luchies, of Fremont; as well as her brother-in-law, Niel Haugen, of Frankfort, and the Haugen family.

A service of remembrance will be held Dec. 29, 2012, at 11 a.m., at Trinity Lutheran Church in Frankfort. Interment will be in June of 2013 in "The Wild Garden" at "The Farm" for both Shirley and her sister, Vicki, as per their wishes.

As another family member passes away we wish to especially thank Gaylord and Stephanie Jowett, Danny Longstreet and their wonderful staff at Jowett Family Funeral Home for their kindness, friendship and special love to our families.

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