Shirley A. May

NORFOLK -- Memorial service for Shirley A. May, 82, of Norfolk will be 10:30 a.m., Saturday, October 29, 2022 at Stonacek Funeral Chapel in Norfolk. Visitation will be 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Friday, at Stonacek Funeral Chapel, in Norfolk. Officiating will be Lay Minister Charlie Doerr. Family burial will be held at a later date at L'Eau Qui Court Cemetery of Niobrara. Shirley passed away on Sunday, October 23, 2022 at the Stanton Health Center in Stanton. Stonacek Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Shirley was born on August 17, 1940 in Niobrara, NE to Jesse and Pansy (St. Clair) Peniska. She attended Niobrara High School until the 10th grade, she later received her GED. She attended Wayne State College for 2 years and received an associate's degree. Shirley was united in marriage to Robert (Tim) Smith on September 5, 1959. They lived in Lincoln for a short time before starting their family in Niobrara. Shirley worked as a CNA at Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton. She was later employed at Santee Grade School as a teacher's aide. Robert passed away in 1976. Shirley married Ronald May in 1978 and they lived in Columbus. The couple later divorced. Shirley worked for FBG, managing a cleaning company at Douglas and Lomason, where she met Robert Wells. They moved to Lynch in 1997. After Robert's passing, she lived there until 2015, when she moved to Norfolk to be near her daughters. Shirley enjoyed cooking, gardening, flowers, garage sales, an occasional trip to the casino and visiting with family and friends. Shirley is survived by her son, Bob (Nancy) Smith of Columbus, daughter, Deanne (James) Vornhagen of Norfolk, and daughter, Carrie (Robert) Wells of Norfolk. Her seven grandchildren were her pride and joy, Meghan (Apollo) Stack of Omaha, Brandon (Chelsea Liss) Smith of Columbus, Derek Smith of Sioux Falls, SD, Dylan Smith of Columbus, Scott Vornhagen of Lincoln, Adam Vornhagen of Norfolk, and Jay Vornhagen of Lincoln. Siblings include her sister, Donna (Dale) Sanders of Grand Prairie, TX, and her brother, Dale Eckmann of O'Neill. Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, Jesse and Pansy, step father Herbert Eckmann, grandparents Joe and Margaret St. Clair, husband Robert (Tim) Smith, niece Kellie Brigham, and special friend Robert Wells. Condolences may be expressed to the family on-line at www.stonacekfuneralchapel.com.

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Shirley A. May

August 17, 1940 - October 23, 2022