Shirley Ann Schnell passed away quietly in the morning hours of June 30, 2021 from complications of COPD. She was a resident of Gering for the past 18 months.
Shirley was born on December 12, 1934 to parents Conrad P. and Martha (Burbach) Schnell in Minatare, Nebraska. She started school in Sunol and graduated at 16 years old from Alliance High School in Alliance, Nebraska.
A few years later she married Ernie Miskimen in newly built Immanuel Lutheran Church in Alliance. To the union three children were born: Terri, Rodney, and Timothy.
In 1957 the family moved to southern California where they resided for many years continuing to raise their family and working hard. They later divorced.
Shirley worked in the food service industry where she did everything from “slinging hash as a waitress,” prep cook, cook, and baker. She baked numerous goodies for the students and staff of Sulfer Springs School District in Saugus/Canyon Country, California. She was famous for her cinnamon rolls. She also worked for numerous grocery stores in the deli department. After returning to Nebraska in the 1990’s she continued as a cook at the Western Nebraska Veterans Home in Scottsbluff finally retiring at 70 years old.
Before returning to Nebraska she and Ernie were Laborers for Christ with the Missouri Synod Lutheran Church. During this time they lived in their motorhome working on church projects in Concord/Walnut Creek, California, Wayne, NE, and Kentucky. The couple happily found time to travel the United States between jobs.
Shirley is survived by her children Terri (Jim) Ford of Carson City, NV; Rod of Bozeman, MT, Tim of American Fork, UT; Special family friends Van & Valerie Bond and family also of American Fork, UT; little sister Kathryn (Vern) Patterson and their son Zack all of Rapid City, SD; special niece and caregiver Gay Chambers; three granddaughters; three great-granddaughters; four great-grandsons; nieces; an aunt; an uncle; and several cousins.
Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, beloved sister Gladys (Chambers) Lancaster, her only grandson Ian Hartman, numerous Schnell and Burbach relatives, and nephew Sam Patterson.
It was Shirley’s wishes to be cremated. No service will be held at this time but plans are in motion for a Celebration of Life and family reunion to be held in the Summer of 2022 in the Gering, Nebraska area. Please no flowers but a memorial can be given to the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia for purchasing research materials from Russia in Shirley’s name: AHSGR 631 D Street Lincoln, NE 68502 or to the charity of your choice. And please, have a cup of coffee for Shirley and give her a toast.
