Shirley A. Gass

The Gass family mourns the passing of their beloved Shirley on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, who died peacefully at home, surrounded by her family’s love and care.
 

Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday, May 17, at First Presbyterian Church in Hastings with Rev. Greg Allen-Pickett officiating. Burial will be at Parkview Cemetery in Hastings. Visitation will be 1-7 p.m. with family present 5-7 p.m. Thursday, May 16, at the funeral home, and one hour before the service at the church. Memorials may be given to St. Elizabeth’s Hospice Foundation, 555 South 70^th Street, Lincoln, NE 68510. The service will be live-streamed on Livingston Butler Volland Funeral Home’s website. To view the service, go to Shirley’s obituary and click the play button shown towards the bottom of the page. 

Shirley was a devoted daughter and sister to eight siblings who grew up in North Central, Kansas. There were several challenges during her early life, the Dust Bowl, the Great Depression, and the Second World War. Her family always tried hard to make the best of their circumstances during these times with determined smiles on their collective faces.
 

Shirley graduated from Lebanon High School, and soon after left her home to pursue work opportunities in Red Cloud, NE. It was whilst working in Red Cloud that she met her future husband Gerald “Jerry” Gass. They were married on June 3, 1951, and moved to Lincoln whilst Jerry continued his undergraduate studies at UNL. Their daughter, Stephanie, was born on April 5, 1952. After graduation, and his acceptance of a commission in the US Air Force, they moved to Texas where Jerry completed Flight Training School. His first assignment was to Tokyo, Japan where the young family spent three years.

Upon returning stateside, Jerry transferred from active duty to the Air Force Reserve and the family moved to Hastings, NE. Their son Stephen joined their family on June 9, 1962, and shortly after they moved to their new home out at Hastings Lake. Shirley and Jerry made Hastings their home for the next 60 years.

Shirley was an avid bowler and was part of a team that bowled in a league at Pastime Bowl, “The Coffee Breakers” for almost 50 years. She strived for a 300 game, but her highest game was 289. She also enjoyed golf and played in the Ladies League at Lochland CC.

 Shirley was a huge fan of sports in general, but she really loved the Nebraska sports teams, especially the football team. Many of her family members developed their love of the Huskers from her. Baseball was another favorite; she followed the KC Royal and St. Louis Cardinals with a passion. Basketball too! The Denver Nuggets, her favorite player was number 15 (Nikola Jokic). She said she just liked the way he played.

As a devoted member of the PEO, Chapter GK, joining that sisterhood in May 1971 she engaged in a variety of charitable and volunteer works during her time as an active member, mostly through the 1^st Presbyterian Church and other local organizations.

 After Jerry died in 2012, Shirley continued to live in the family home until she moved to The Regency where she spent almost five years enjoying playing Bridge and having her close friends around her. Earlier this year she was unable to continue to care for herself so moved to Lincoln to stay with her son Stephen. During this time, she enjoyed watching the baseball and basketball games with him.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, Ross and Ruth Ellis; husband, Gerald “Jerry” Gass; brothers, Ivan, Stanley, Russell, and Roger; and sisters, Beverly and Wanda.

Children & Spouse:                            
    Stephanie A. Wright (Gass)
    Stephen C. & Sharon Gass
Grandchildren:                                   
    Benjamin A. Wright
    Whitney A. Gholami (Wright)
    Louise M. Flores (Gass)
    Thomas C. Gass
    Matthew S. Gass 
Great-Grandchildren:                         
    Alexis M. Gass
    Natalie G. Flores
    Greyson B. Flores
    Adelan S. Gholami
    Aydin S. Gholami
    Theo T. Gass
    Gunnar M. Gass
    Enola S. Gass
Nieces & Nephews:                            
    Craig A. Ellis
    Nancy Grant (Ellis)
    Jacque Evans
    Paula Evans
    Susan King (Ellis)
    Debby Alexander (Ellis)
    Larry Joe Lambert
    Judy Ann Burgess (Lambert)
    Jerry Lee Lambert
    Dawn Todd (Ellis)
    Kim Ellis
    Patti Gilpin (Overmiller)
    Linda Stroede-Overmiller
    Gayle Overmiller
    Micki Scherling (Overmiller) 
    Bryan Overmiller
    Lori Fergason (Pierce)
    Joni Gast (Pierce) 
    Barry Pierce
    Jennifer Monaco (Pierce)
    Dennis Kupyer
    Josie Kuyper
    Rachel Wright (Kuyper)
Great-Nieces & Great-Nephews:       
    too many to list
Siblings:                              
    Judy Overmiller (Ellis)
    Vivien Kuyper (Ellis)