Shirley B Dicke

Shirley B Dicke was born on September 27, 1928 to Ervin and Marie Ruopp Amman near Naponee, Nebraska. She was the oldest of four children, with two younger sisters and a brother. Shirley departed this world on Thursday, June 6, 2024 peacefully, surrounded by her loving husband and family.

 As a child growing up in the depression and the WWII years, Shirley knew the value of hard work and practicality. It fostered her lifelong love of gardening, canning, sewing, music, and the joy of simple living. After graduating high school in Naponee, she started work as a bookkeeper in Franklin. It was here she met the love of her life, Leonard, and they were married in 1952 and eventually moved to McCook, Nebraska where they raised their three children. For many years she worked the front desk at TRW.

Life always revolved around extended family and friends: picnics at the lake, legendary family dinners, lots of camping and just crazy fun. She was the wonderful mom, the fun aunt and always a loving grandmother. Her home brimmed full of light, laughter, and love. She was a member of the First Congregational Church for over 50 years. Shirley was a Sunday school teacher and also taught piano for many years, instructing all three of her children and several of her grandkids too, instilling in them her love of music. 

After Leonard retired, they became intrepid snowbirds for many years heading to Arizona with friends for winters filled with golf and relaxation. They loved their 5th wheel camper and took trips ranging from Canada to Mexico with yearly camping in Colorado with the kids and grandkids. 

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Lois, brother Glen, daughter Karen Reiners, son Larry “Hank” Dicke, and her granddaughter Chantal. 

Shirley is survived by her husband of 71 years, Leonard of McCook, NE, her daughter Janice (James) Ashby of Lincoln, NE, daughter-in-law Theresa Dicke of McCook, NE, sister Lorene (Rodney) Richter of Naponee, NE, brother-in-law Hank (Val) Dicke of Holdrege, NE along with beloved grandchildren, great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Her laughter, bright smile, and warm embrace will be sorely missed. 

Memorials are suggested in Shirley’s name to the McCook Community Foundation, P.O. Box 525, McCook, NE  69001