Memorial services for Shirley Fay Jansen of Hemingford, Nebraska will be held on
Friday, February 6, 2015 at 2:30 PM at the United Methodist Church in Hemingford with
Pastor Teri Lucas officiating. A light lunch and fellowship will follow in the basement of
the church. She will be inurned at Highland Center Cemetery beside her mother at a
later time.
Shirley Fay (Gavette) Jansen died on February 3, 2015 at Hemingford Community Care
Center. She was 79 at the time of her death. Shirley was born on May 17, 1935 in
Walton, New York to Foster and Geraldine Gavette. She was the oldest and the only
girl of five children; Norman, Brian, Terry and Randy. Her family moved often when the
children were young, but settled around Redfield, South Dakota for their later years.
Shirley worked hard at home and at school. She was chosen for Girl’s State when she
was a junior and graduated from Redfield High in 1952. She married her childhood
sweetheart, Veryl Jansen, on January 18, 1953, and to this union six children were
born: Susan, Vicki, Cindy, Tim, Sherri and Tanya.
Shirley worked out of the home most of her life, first as secretary at Spink Co. Bank in
Redfield, then at State Bankers Association in Huron, and finally at the Forest Service in
Chadron, from which she retired in 1985. What Shirley valued most was her family; she
loved her children and gloried in their success. In her retirement, “Nana” cared for her
last two grandchildren in San Diego, CA. Shirley moved to Hemingford in August of
2014 and called the Care Center her home. She departed her earthly life to live with the
Lord and Savior on February 3, 2015.
Shirley is survived by her children: Susan (Monty) Ahrens-Highlands Ranch, CO; Vicki
(Lester) Lewis-Anchorage, AK; Cindy (Lee) Ahrens- Marsland, NE; Tim (Dana) Jensen-
Franklin, TN; Sherri (Dan) Zeimens-Highlands Ranch, CO; Tanya (Jeff) Stepek-San
Diego, CA; 17 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren and her highschool sweetheart,
Veryl Jansen.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Foster Gavette and Geraldine (Busch)
Gavette; brothers Randy, Terry, Norman, Brian, and grandchild Cole.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be sent to the Hemingford Care Center. The family of
Shirley would like to thank the Care Center and the wonderful nurses, CNAs, doctors,
hospice, and all the other staff that made our mother’s last days as caring and
comfortable as possible. We are truly grateful and appreciate everyone who was
involved. God Bless. Donations may be sent to Chamberlain Chapel, PO Box 970,
Chadron, NE 69337.
Online condolences can be made at www.chamberlainchapel.com
Chamberlain Chapel of Chadron is in charge of arrangements.