Shirley J. Schoen

Shirley Jean Margaret Schoen was born March 6, 1932, to Henry and Sena (Conradi) Schoenrock. She passed from this life June 11, 2021, at the age of 89 years, 3 months, and 5 days.                                                                                                                                                  Shirley was baptized and confirmed at Zion Evangelical and Reformed Church (now Zion United Church of Christ) near Gladstone. She grew up on a farm west of Fairbury and attended District 100, then Fairbury High School, graduating in 1950. After high school, Shirley worked at the
Jefferson County USDA office and was a member of Beta Sigma Phi sorority. She was the soloist at numerous weddings of friends and family.
Shirley married Norris Schoen on August 31, 1952, and they raised five children on a farm north of Reynolds. They attended Trinity Lutheran Church west of Gladstone and Grace Lutheran Church in Fairbury. Life was busy with their children’s activities and their own pastimes. Shirley
was a member of Sugar and Spice Extension Club, Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, played golf and always had a large garden. She helped Norris on the farm and helped with the construction of their home. Together they enjoyed hunting and camping. They also traveled to many places in
the United States and elsewhere; including Germany, the Domnican Republic and cruises in the Caribbean, to Alaska and to Hawaii.
Shirley stayed on the farm after Norris’ health declined and he passed away in 2016. Later that year she moved to Cedarwood Assisted Living in Fairbury. While it was quite different from living on the farm, she enjoyed having people around, the conversations at mealtime and visits from
her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The pandemic was a challenge, but her lifelines were her phone and digital photo display and her walks with friends. She remained at Cedarwood until her unexpected passing.                                                                                      Shirley was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, her parents and parents-in-law; her sisters and husbands, Clarrisa and Alvin Pohlmann, Lillian and Robert Molden; brother-in-law and wife, Marvin and Marge Schoen; sisters-in-law and husbands, Beulah and Louis Issler, and
Norma and Francis Tucker; sister-in-law Bonnie Schoen; and son-in-law Scott Hein.
She is survived by her children; Ron and Peg Schoen of Lincoln, Marilyn Hein, Carol and Randy Schwisow, Jacki and Roland (Moe) Moellenberndt, all of Fairbury, and Mark and Sally Schoen of Lincoln. Grandchildren: Kristi and Mat Beu, Jessica and Dave Geistlinger, Trevor and Sara Hein,
Casey and Brent Beachler, Jamie and Blake Wilhelm, Kelsay and Saed Zarifa, Colby Moellenberndt and Sheena Nash, John Schoen, Alexa and Nate Grasmick, Austin and Gina Schoen, Haley Hein, Jordan Schoen, Justin and Taylor Schoen; sixteen great-grandchildren;
numerous nieces and nephews; many friends and acquaintances.                                                                                                            Services will be Tuesday, June 15, 2021 at 11:00 at Grace Lutheran Church in Fairbury. Burial will be in Grace Lutheran Cemetery, Gladstone. Memorials will go to the Family’s Choice. Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.