Shirley Sue Stubbendick's Obituary
Shirley Sue Stubbendick, 73, of Palm Coast passed away on February 12, 2020 in Palm Coast, FL. She was born in Elmwood, Nebraska on October 24, 1946 to the late John W. and Bettye Albers. She grew up on a farm outside of Elmwood, NE. She graduated from Elmwood High School in 1965. She went on to Dana College in Blair, NE where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Education and later received her Master’s Degree from Nebraska Wesleyan University, Lincoln, NE. In 1968, she married Milton Stubbendick at North Branch First Lutheran Church, Avoca, NE.
Shirley was an educator for 38 years. She began her teaching career at Elmwood Elementary, then began teaching in a one room country schoolhouse West of Syracuse, NE. She then went on to teach 1st and 2nd Grades, Computer and Media at Unadilla Grade School for the majority of her teaching career. She completed her teaching career at Syracuse Elementary School as a Media Specialist. While residing in Nebraska, where she raised her family on a farm Northwest of Syracuse, NE, she volunteered her time as a Sunday School teacher and confirmation teacher at North Branch First Lutheran Church. Once retired, Shirley and her husband Milton moved to Palm Coast, FL.
Shirley loved her family. She enjoyed cooking, knitting, gardening, playing cards, reading, the beach, traveling, spending time with her grandchildren and volunteering at the local Elementary School and Children’s Library. She was involved in multiple clubs including a Garden Club, Knitting Club, Quilting Club and making friends everywhere she went. She often traveled back to Nebraska and Iowa to visit family and friends. She opened her home over the years to foster children, foreign exchange students and family. Her laugh was memorable, her heart was immense, and she loved life.
She was preceded in death by her parents. Survivors include her husband, Milton of Palm Coast, FL; her son, Dana (Amber) Stubbendick of Urbandale, IA; her daughter, Sara (Brian) Paone of Palm Coast, FL; grandchildren Addison, Emerson, Enzo, Ellysen and Addylen. Additionally, Shirley is survived by siblings and many nieces and nephews.
A Memorial Service will be held in Nebraska on Saturday, February 29th at 10:30am at North Branch First Lutheran Church, Avoca, NE. Lunch will be served following the service.
In lieu of customary remembrances, the Stubbendick family suggests memorial contributions be made in Shirley’s name to the Syracuse Elementary School Library, 550 7th Street, Syracuse, NE 68446.
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