Shirley R. Keim

Shirley Rogene Keim, daughter of Eugene and Marie (Helvey) Tinkham, was born at her family home in Powell, Nebraska on November 2, 1928. She passed away at Heritage Crossings in Geneva, Nebraska on December 4, 2015 at the age of 87.

Shirley was baptized at the United Methodist Church in Powell and would move to Carleton, Nebraska where she was confirmed at the United Methodist Church there. She attended school in Carleton and graduated in 1946. After graduating, she worked at the Beatrice Drug Store and Wittenberger Drug Store in Carleton. She married the love of her life, Verle Gene Keim, on March 7, 1948 at the Carleton Methodist Church. This sixty-year union was blessed with four children: Beverly, Barbara, Jerry, and Shari. Verle and Shirley made their home southwest of Davenport where they farmed and raised cattle. They moved to town in 1976 but continued to farm until 1990. Shirley was a devoted wife, homemaker, a mother to their 4 children, and an active member in her community being involved in Christ Lutheran Church, Alter Guild, Sarah Group, Evangelism Committee, Women of ELCA, Sunday School Teacher, American Legion Auxiliary, Clever Corner Extension Group, Angels Club, Woman’s Club, and Library Board Treasurer. She also enjoyed doing ceramics, gardening, going on outings with her friends, and most especially attending her grandchildren’s activities. Verle and Shirley were avid Husker fans and enjoyed making their Husker ‘N’s for friends and family.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband; son-in-law, Mike Prucha; sister-in-laws, Valora Tinkham and Lila Lichty; brother-in-law, Dean Keim. Her survivors include her brother, Ronnie Tinkham of Hebron and sister-in-law, Irene (Barry) Moore of Lincoln; and children, Beverly Prucha of Lincoln; Barbara (Thomas) Bohling of Davenport; Jerry (Susan) Keim of Lincoln; Shari (Dave) Collins of Omaha; 10 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren: Melanie (Matt) Hergenrader, Max and Emmy; Ty Prucha; Matthew (Leisa) Bohling, Campbell and Kinzley; Maisie (Brad) Bovy, Koen, Kaiser, and Colton; Mandy (Travis) Loontjer, Madison, Maiya, and Maesyn; Britney (Nate) Damme, Adilyn, Evelyn, and Wesley; Kylie (Mitch) Kubicek, Kellan and Maeli; Jody (Joe) Steinbach, Kate and Jack; Derek Collins; and Alysha Collins.

MEMORIALS MAY BE MADE TO THE CHURCH OR DAVENPORT SENIOR CENTER