Shirley Mae Book

Shirley Mae (Harder) Book passed away on Saturday, December 7, 2024 at the age of 93. Funeral Services will be Saturday, December 14, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. with visitation at 9:30, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Martinsburg, Nebraska. Burial will follow at Trinity Cemetery, rural Martinsburg.  Arrangements by Becker-Hunt Funeral Home. Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.meyerbroschapels.com

Shirley was born May 23, 1931 to Carl and Verna Harder, the 3rd of nine siblings. Shirley met her future husband, Loren B. (Bruce), during childhood, and graduated from Ponca High School in 1949. Bruce and Shirley were married May 26, 1951, and their marriage continued for 59 years until Bruce passed away in 2010. Bruce and Shirley lived in Martinsburg and had three children, Sheila, Loren D. (Jake), and Julee. 

Shirley had been employed in part-time jobs at Atokad horse track, ASCS office in Ponca, did bookkeeping for R&B Construction, and Cook’s Country Store, all of which she loved. But above all, she loved being a wonderful homemaker.

One of Shirley’s most favorite things was being Graaammaaa to her grandkids and great grandkids, loving any chance to spoil them, take care of them, and spend time with them. Shirley was passionate about sewing/quilting/crafting/crocheting, dancing, baking her famous chocolate chip cookies, making her grandkid’s favorite cream dried beef on toast (SOS), and so many other favorites. 

She was an election official and belonged to the VFW and American Legion as well as The Ladies Aid at Trinity Lutheran Church where she was baptized, confirmed, married, and a lifelong member.

Shirley was an incredible light to everyone she met. Her laugh was warming, contagious, and will never be forgotten. 

Shirley is survived by her daughters Sheila (Mike) Floyd and Julee Lubken (Kim Franzen); grandchildren Michelle (Mike) Kober, Corey (Jayme) Floyd, Crystal (Reggie) Bosshamer, Casey Floyd, Leslie (Aaron) Christians, and Ryan (Jenna) Book; great grandchildren Andrew, Sam, Brock, Brody, Blake, Ali, Cora, Miriam, Bella, Lily, Gabe, Hazel, Landon, Calvin, and Annelee. She is also survived by siblings/in-laws Betty Casey, Duane (Edith) Harder, Ronald Harder, and Judy Novak.

Shirley was preceded in death by her husband Loren (Bruce), son Loren (Jake), and siblings/in-laws; Arlene (Rich) Blohm, Pat Casey, Carroll (Maureen) Harder, Janice Harder, Sharon Harder, Dennis Harder, Randall Novak, as well as parents, Carl and Verna, and in-laws, Al and Frieda Book.