Shirley Bartlett

Shirley Joan Bartlett, 82 of Gothenburg died on May 4, 2007 at Gothenburg Memorial Hospital. Shirley was born on March 16, 1925 on the family farm near Gothenburg, NE to John G. and Josie E. (Nichols) Sitorious. She attended school in Gothenburg, graduating from Gothenburg High School in 1940 and was a member of the National Honor Society. After high school she worked for the Gothenburg Insurance and Real Estate for 5 years and then married Ward Bartlett in 1948 and had four children over the next decade. She was a devoted mother involved with 4-H, cooking and sewing projects. Shirley was a gourmet cook specializing in making angel food cake from scratch. She also taught Sunday school at the United Methodist Church for 8 years. She was a promoter of Sociability for Job Daughters for 7 years and a Guardian of Job Daughters for 3 years. She was involved in Girls Interest Group, Circle Chairman, and Woman's Group Wedding Coordinator all through the Methodist Church. She was also a member of the Cozad Does, division of the Elks Club. She always made sure to make it to the football games and wrestling matches. In 1978 finally hit the ranks of the empty nesters, she dedicated her time to the Gothenburg Six or better known as the Kindergartner Bunch, friends since kindergarten. They managed to travel the United States from coast to coast and even abroad to Europe, Canada with a couple of trips to Hawaii. Or flying to out of the way cities in a two seater plane with a personal tour guide that had a flare for adventure. When she was in town you were sure to find her at one of several bridge clubs. Her motto was, leave a number! In the 80's she went back to School at the Mid-Plains Community College and earned a secretarial degree in 1982. That same year she went to work for the Gothenburg Chamber of Commerce. Shirley is survived by her children Alea Taylor of Arizona, John (Marci) Bartlett, Clifford Bartlett, Boni (Ted) Schmidt and one sister Peggy Ellison all of Gothenburg, NE. Eight grandchildren including Erica, Derek, Jeff, Haley, Jessica and Roman; five great-grandchildren Kylee, Tate, Maguire, Ella, and Asher. She was preceded in death by her parents John and Josie Sitorious, grandson Casey Bartlett, and traveling companion Paul Ristine. Visitation will be held Monday, May 7, 1 - 8 PM with the family present from 5-8 PM at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel, Gothenburg, Nebraska. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, May 8, 10:00 AM at the United Methodist Church, Gothenburg, Nebraska, with Pastor Randy Dilts officiating. Burial will take place in the Gothenburg Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Gothenburg Chamber of Commerce. Online condolences can be made at www.blasestrauser.com