Shirley Ann Spitser

Shirley A. Spitser, 88 of Pawnee City, Nebraska passed away on Wednesday, December 27, 2017 at the Premier Estates in Pawnee City, Nebraska.  She was born on March 6, 1929 on a farm south of Pierce, Nebraska to Willard and Helen (Voecks) Watson.

Shirley grew up on a farm south of Pierce, Nebraska, the farm had been homesteaded by her Great Grandfather.

Shirley graduated from Pierce High School in 1946.  She then went to college and graduated from Lincoln School of Commerce and the University of Nebraska. 

Shirley married Walter Spitser on June 3,1956 at the Methodist Church in Pawnee City. To this union three children were born, Susan Jean, Bruce Charles and Mary Louise.They lived on a farm southwest of Pawnee City from 1957 to 1995.  Walter passed away in 1995.

Shirley worked as a secretary at UNL, while she was attending UNL to become a teacher.  After graduating she taught Business Arts (Typing, shorthand and bookkeeping) at Pawnee City High School from 1954-1959. When she interviewed for the teaching job at Pawnee City, she took the train from Lincoln to get to Pawnee City. Shirley said part of the interview was walking around Pawnee City to meet the school board members. Shirley quit teaching in 1959 when they started their family, but went back to substitute  teaching early in the 1970’s.  Not wishing to go back to teaching full time she took a job as the High School Secretary at Pawnee City Schools in 1973 and retiring in 1999.

She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Pawnee City, was a church auditor for many years. She taught Sunday School for many years and was active in the United Methodist  Women, holding various offices.

Shirley’s hobbies and interests were, Husker sports and Pawnee City School activities.  She enjoyed jigsaw puzzles, crossword and word search puzzles.  After retirement she volunteered at the Pawnee City Library and also with the reading program at the Pawnee City Elementary School.  She enjoyed all the family activities.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Willard and Helen Watson; husband, Walter Spitser; parents-in-law, Elmer Clay and Frances Spitser; brother, Eldon Watson; sisters, Naida Watson and Lois Bueher; brothers-in-law, Albert Spitser and Clifford Spitser; sister-in-law, Ruth Appling. 

Shirley is survived by her daughters, Susan Spitser, Beatrice, NE and Mary Dehart (Kent), League City, TX; and son, Bruce Spitser (Betsy), Pawnee City, NE; grandchildren, Tyler Spitser, Fremont, NE and Mackenzie Spitser, Lincoln, NE; sisters Marilyn Watson, Gaithersburg, MD and Alyce Watson, Lincoln, NE; brother, Charles Watson, North Little Rock, AR; sisters-in-law, Murl Gottula, Elk Creek, NE, Pearl Schulenberg, Orion, IL, and Betty Spitser, Pawnee City, NE; and nieces and nephews. 

Memorial service 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 2, 2018 at the United Methodist Church, Pawnee City, Nebraska. Officiating Pastor Sherry Sklenar.  Visitation on Monday, January 1, 2018 form 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., with family greeting friends from 6-8 p.m. at Wherry Mortuary, 919 G Street, Pawnee City, Nebraska. Inurnment at the Pawnee City Cemetery, Pawnee City, Nebraska.  Memorials to Pawnee City Library Foundation and/or Pawnee City Athletic Boosters. On line condolence may be left at www.wherrymortuary.com

 Service Information