Shirley A. (Hurt) Stratman

Shirley A. Stratman, 85, of Palmer, went to live with the Lord and reunite with her husband, Sonny, on Wednesday, August 25, 2021, surrounded by her family.

A celebration of her life will be held at 10:30 A.M. Friday, September 3, 2021, at the United Methodist Church in Palmer. Pastor Mike Anderson will officiate. Private inurnment will be at Rose Hill Cemetery in Palmer, Nebraska. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Palmer American Legion Auxiliary and the United Methodist Church in Palmer. Greenway-Dietz Funeral Home in Palmer is in charge of arrangements.

Shirley was born February 4,1936 in Elba, Nebraska to William and Clara (Christensen) Hurt. William and Clara passed away when Shirley was very young. In 1941, Shirley became a part of the extended family of Chester and Martha Klein.

Shirley attended schools in Dannevirke, Cotesfield, and Elba, graduating from Elba High School in 1953. Following graduation, Shirley moved to Palmer, NE and worked at the Coolidge Hospital where she met the love of her life Floyd “Sonny”. On February 13, 1955, Shirley married Sonny Stratman at the Methodist Church in Elba. From this union, three children were born: Terry Lee, Kimberly Ann, and Peggy Sue. Together they built a life they loved in Palmer. Sonny passed away in 1993, Shirley remained in Palmer.

Shirley worked in healthcare most of her adult life. She worked at Abels Nursing Home in St. Paul. She became a nursing administrator at The Coolidge Center in 1978. After the Coolidge Center closed, she became the nursing home administrator at Wedgewood Nursing Home until retiring in 2002.

Shirley was a devoted member of the United Methodist Church in Palmer, joining in 1955. Shirley worked to serve the Lord as she served as the church secretary until the time of her death. She taught Sunday School and Bible School for several years at the Palmer Methodist Church.

Shirley was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Post 120, Royal Neighbors of America, Palmer United Methodist Women, 5-Point Pitch Card Club, and Chat’n Nibble Club.

Shirley loved her family dearly and enjoyed traveling with her daughters Kim and Peg. Together they made so many wonderful memories. In a note to her family she said, “Being a mother to my children has been the greatest joy of my life, for this I am eternally grateful.” She loved her grandchildren, cherished each one and supported her whole family, loving unconditionally. She was the Rock!

Those left to cherish her memory are son and daughter-in-law, Terry & Kathie Stratman; Daughters and sons-in-law, Kimberly & David Benner, and Peggy & Todd Lechner; grandchildren, Sierra Supik, Andrew Stratman, Tyler Stratman, Christopher Benner, Nicholas Benner, Jacob Lechner, Madison Lechner, and Dustin Katzberg; and great-grandchildren, Spencer, Alexis, Joseph, Ashton, Kira, and Aurora.

Shirley was preceded in death by her husband, Sonny; parents; sisters, Donna Gillogly, MaryAnn Krzycki, and Janice Kusak; and brother Dennis Hurt. Also, her father and mother-in-law, Floyd and Clara Stratman; sister-in-law Phyllis Tibbetts; and brother-in-law, Gerald Stratman.

Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.greenwayfh.com.

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