Shirley Habrock

Shirley Habrock, 90, of Emerson, NE, passed away Friday, October 7, 2016 at her home surrounded by her family. Mass of Christian Burial services will be Monday, October 10, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Emerson; Father Gerald Leise officiating. The visitation will be Sunday, October 9, 2016 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. The burial will be in Calvary Cemetery in Emerson. Memorials may be directed to St. Jude Research Hospital (for children with cancer). Arrangements are under the direction of Munderloh-Smith Funeral Home in Emerson, NE. Shirley was born February 28, 1926 on a farm northwest of Emerson to Henry and Annie (McDonough) Paulsen. She attended District 66 for 8 years and graduated from Sacred Heart High School in Emerson in 1943. She then enrolled at Commercial Extension, a business school, in Omaha, NE. Shirley was then employed by Blue Cross in Omaha for nearly 3 years. During that time, her cousin and she witnessed the end of WWII celebration in downtown Omaha. The police allowed the happy, joyful, hugging people to overflow into the streets and intersections, blocking any traffic. Shirley married Wilbur Habrock in 1950 and resided on a farm southwest of Emerson. Six children were born to this union. Upon the passing of her parents, they moved into her current home in 1989, northwest of Emerson. Wilbur passed away in 2001. She continued to live on this farm enjoying the comfort of her home and flowers. She loved the presence of her family and friends, cooking and reading, her computer, and various everyday challenges. She looked forward to visits from children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Shirley is survived by her children, LeAnn Obrecht of Lincoln, NE, Janelle and Bill McTaggart of Hartington, NE, Linda and Glen Prinz of West Point, NE, Lorie and Glen Meyer of Pender, NE, Gary and Sandy (Belt) Habrock of rural Emerson, NE, Jolene Koehler of Norfolk; 17 grandchildren; 23 ½ great grandchildren; sister-in-law, Helen (Habrock) Kai of Dalton, NE; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Ted and Mylet Habrock of Wayne, NE. She is preceded in death by her husband; son-in-law, Bill Obrecht; and two grandchildren, Eric and Brian McTaggart.