SHIRLEY M. WHARTMAN

Shirley M. Whartman, 94, of Kimball, died at Kimball Health Services on Wednesday, October 2, 2024. Memorial services were held on Friday, October 18, 2024 at the Cornerstone Community Church in Kimball with Pastor Alan Foutz officiating. Inurnment was in the Kimball Cemetery. Memorials may be given in her memory to the Cornerstone Community Church. The services for Shirley have been entrusted to the Cantrell Funeral Home.

Shirley Mae (Whiteley) Whartman's life journey began in a farmhouse near Nelson, Nebraska. After graduating from Nelson High School in 1947, she pursued her passion for nursing and completed her nursing education at Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in 1951. Shirley then enlisted in the Air Force and served for two years before returning to further her education at Hasting College, where she earned her bachelor's degree in education in 1955. She continued her educational journey by completing the Masters of Personnel Service program at the University of Colorado in 1957.

Shirley married Gordon Whartman in 1957 and the couple settled in Denver, Colorado, where Shirley began her teaching career at the University of Colorado School of Nursing. They later moved to Kremmling, Colorado, where Shirley became the first school nurse in the Kremmling School District and also worked part-time at the hospital. All three of their children were born in Colorado. In 1963, they moved to Superior, Nebraska, and then to Kimball in 1967, where Shirley worked at the local hospital and became the school nurse for 12 years before retiring from the school system.

Even after her official retirement, Shirley continued to serve as a nurse, establishing a parish health program within the Presbyterian Church and participating in various community programs to enhance Kimball residents' well-being. She was deeply devoted to her Christian faith and dedicated countless hours to the Presbyterian Church of Kimball, embodying a true disciple of God.

In addition to Shirley's love of nursing, she and Gordon shared a love of nature. They often found themselves camping and fishing in the Snowy Mountain Range, west of Laramie, Wyoming. They eventually became camp hosts at their favorite campground for a good part of the summer for over 15 years.

Shirley is preceded in death by her husband Gordon, her parents, Con and Elma Whiteley, and her sisters, Verleen Gharring and Floy Jensen. She is survived by her children, Bret (Wanda) Whartman, Robin (Darrell) Snyder and Joy (Rob Hilkemeier) Hoover, as well as her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.