Shirley L. Vanmetre

Shirley Louise VanMetre passed quietly on October 17, 2023 at the age of 93 years. She was born in Hayes, Kansas on January 11, 1930, the youngest daughter of The Rev. Clare VanMetre and Carrie Louise (Peters) VanMetre. Her father was a Methodist church minister so the family moved throughout Nebraska during her childhood (Gibben, Arnold, David City, Lincoln and Wahoo). Before her senior year of high school the family moved to Wahoo and she graduated from Wahoo High school in 1948. She then attended Luther Junior college for 2 years and graduated in 1950 with a teacher certificate in Elementary Education. She married Robert William Yarmon June 25, 1950 where her father officiated the ceremony in his Omaha church. She then joined the First Presbyterian Church in Wahoo the fall of 1950. The union of she and Bob resulted in three children, Stephen Robert, Janece Louise and Nancy Ann.

Shirley’s teaching career began at a country school, she then taught 3rd and 4th grade at Ceresco Public School. Once her children were in school, she accepted a part time position as library aide at Wahoo Public Library where she worked for 4 ½ years. She then transitioned to West Ward Elementary school where she was the Librarian and taught library skills to students for 16 years. Shirley was asked to return to the Wahoo Public Library where she accepted the position as Director; she retired from that position in 1993. After her retirement from the public library, Shirley continued as a teacher’s aide at District 23 and later worked at Reliable Services.

Shirley was involved in many organizations in the Wahoo community; most prominent was her involvement in the First Presbyterian Church. She was an Elder, Deacon, member of the bell choir for 30 years (1990-2019), Sunday School Superintendent and teacher, Education and Youth Director, Christian Education Director, Westminister Presbyterian Women where she held the office of moderator, United Presbyterian Women, and was very active in the Bible Study group. She was also a Pythian Sister, a member of the Wahoo Mothers group, Extension Clubs and she regularly volunteered at the Historical Society in Wahoo. At the age of 89 years, Shirley continued to offer and teach exercise classes three times a week to residents at Westview apartments.

Shirley enjoyed traveling with her good friend Marilyn Hageman. Over the years they traveled to Hawaii, Canada, England, Italy, and The Netherlands. The most important things in her life were her family, her church, and her friends. Shirley enjoyed her bible study groups, baking, growing flowers/gardening and reading. Shirley practiced and displayed the importance of the biblical reference “do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Matthew 7:12. Shirley also felt that a passage that guided her through her life and remained in her daily reflections was to show “compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Be helpful to one another and forgive one another, and to all these add love”. Colossians 3:12-14.

Shirley moved to Oxbow Assisted Living in Ashland, February 2023. She blended right into the community with ease and loved her new apartment which overlooked the garden. She joined other residents in arts and craft activities and games of Skip-Bo, Dominos, and cards. When she wanted to relax you would find her in her apartment listening to music, reading her books, devotions or her beloved Bible. In the spring and summer, you would find Shirley outside watering the flowers and rose bushes in the Oxbow garden. As she strolled along the path to her favorite rose bush (light pink) she would sing “Into the Garden”. Shirley loved to give and brighten the lives of her friends; she walked through the community areas and dining room and distributed candies nearly every day. When an aide, nurse, cleaning staff or assistant of any type came into her room, she would always tell them to take a piece of candy from the dish on her kitchen table.

Shirley went to church at Oxbow regularly. She connected immediately with the Methodist Minister and asked if he would conduct a Bible Study at Oxbow. He agreed and she gathered 8-10 residents who were interested in participating; they met for the first time on October 18, 2023.

Shirley is survived by her daughters Jan (Ray) Malousek of rural Wahoo and Nancy Tortora of Ridgefield, CT; grandsons Jeff Malousek of rural Wahoo, Peter Tortora ( Hershey, PA) and his fiancé Shefali Nagpal, Owen Tortora (Berkely, CA), formerly of Ridgefield, CT and granddaughter Kristy (Loren) Fortik of rural Wahoo. She had 5 great grandchildren: Tyson and Hailey Malousek, and Hudson, Hadley and Lucas Fortik. Shirley is preceded in death by her parents, sister Ethel Dedering, son Stephen Robert Yarmon, son-in-law Michael Tortora and grandson Matthew Robert Tortora.