Shirley Thornton

Shirley Anne Roessler Thornton, age 93, of Broken Bow, Nebraska peacefully passed away on Monday, May 5, 2025, at Brookstone View in Broken Bow.

Memorial services will be held on Friday, May 16, 2025, at 10:30 AM at the Govier Brothers Mortuary in Broken Bow, NE. Burial will follow in the Broken Bow Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the United Methodist Church of Broken Bow or Hospice. A visitation will be held on Thursday, May 15th from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at Govier Brothers Mortuary. Govier Brothers Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be left at www.govierbrothers.com

Shirley was born on September 22, 1931, to Ernest and Maude Roessler of Berwyn, Nebraska. As a young girl, Shirley and her sister Evelyn worked alongside their parents on the family farm. She completed her elementary school years at Spencer Park in Berwyn and graduated high school at Berwyn Public Schools. Shirley was united in marriage to Duane Thornton on October 5, 1952, in Berwyn. After marriage, Shirley joined Duane at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri and then Camp Claybanks at Rothbury, Michigan. Shirley and Duane returned to live on the Thornton family ranch on Sumner Road with Duane’s parents. Duane and Shirley had three children, Dee, Beverly and Kay.

As a young family they started a dairy, selling Grade B milk and raising replacement heifers. They continued to be in the dairy operation for 25 years. Shirley and Duane also raised quarter horses and cattle. Branding season was a favorite time for Shirley as she enjoyed preparing all the large branding meals to feed the neighbors. After Shirley and Duane retired, they made their new home at 653 Cherry Street in Broken Bow, the former home of her parents. They attended the United Methodist Church in Broken Bow.

Shirley and Duane took a keen interest in genealogy. They spent many hours researching and compiling the Thornton and Province Family history. She was an avid baker and always had something to enjoy when you would visit her. Shirley made countless apple pies and a wide variety of jams, butters, and jellies. She enjoyed sewing, crocheting, and embroidering. She had a green thumb and could raise some of the most beautiful roses in Custer County. Shirley was a friend too many and was a wonderful neighbor. She spent many hours visiting and helping friends and family. Shirley was always willing to lend a helping hand with grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Along with raising a family, Shirley worked at the Broken Bow Public Library and Varney Rexall in Broken Bow. She enjoyed volunteering at the Custer County Historical Society and Shirley could always be found helping at the annual hospital auxiliary rummage sale.

In 2017, Shirley moved to Brookstone View in Broken Bow. She resided there until her passing. Shirley is survived by her son Dee (Joi) Thornton of Anselmo, Nebraska; Beverly Holen of Holdrege, Nebraska and Kay (Bruce) Kennedy of Merna, Nebraska. Grandchildren include JoDee (Terry) Serres of Chadron, Nebraska; Derek (Carrie) Thornton of Broken Bow, Nebraska; Rick Holen of Colorado; Monty Holen of Colorado; Jessica (Joe) Kamphaus of Loomis, Nebraska; Jamie (Jeff) Porter of Merna, Nebraska; Kerri (Thaddeus) Ziemba of Silver Creek, Nebraska; and Bobbi (Matt) Branch of Gibbon, Nebraska. She is also survived by thirteen great-grandchildren: sister-in-law Dona Russell and many nieces and nephews. Special friends Lloyd and Charlotte Ramsey; Carol Fritzler; Deb Schmeckpepper; Diane Longfellow and many neighbors.

Shirley is preceded in death by her husband Duane Thornton; her parents Ernest and Maude Roessler; father and mother-in-law Frank and Vivian Thornton; sister Evelyn Curlile; brother-in-law Don Russell, sister and brother-in-law Swede and Roxie Croghan.