Obituary of Shirley Louise Piekenbrock

Shirley Louise Piekenbrock, 99, passed away at Green House Homes at Mirasol, Loveland, CO on Sunday, July 9, 2023. 

She was born May 31, 1924 in Sutherland, Nebraska to James T. McMurtry and Clara Aileen Cox McMurtry.  She was the younger of two children, her older brother Gifford died at the age of seven following surgery.  She graduated from North Platte High School in North Platte, NE, and Barnes Business School in Denver, CO.  She worked at Buckley Air Field in Denver, CO, the Office of Defense Transportation in North Platte, NE, the Veteran’s Administration and Scofield Furniture in Scottsbluff, NE.

While working at the Veteran’s Administration she met and later married the love of her life, Ted Piekenbrock.  They were married September 14, 1949 and had four children.  Shirley was a bookkeeper by profession, but was most proud to be a homemaker and mother.  As their family grew and careers developed, they moved and spent several wonderful years in Kimball, NE, Laramie, WY, Louisville, CO, and their dream destination of Loveland, CO.  Shirley’s final years were spent at The Wexford independent living facility in Loveland.

Shirley was a member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church and the Catholic Council of Women of Loveland, CO.  Shirley enjoyed reading, playing cards, Skip-Bo, and crossword puzzles.  She also spent many hours crocheting and knitting.  In later years, she knitted prayer shawls for the church as well as other charitable projects.  Most importantly, Shirley loved spending time with her family.  Special activities included traveling, camping and fishing.  Her most memorable trips were to New York City, Hawaii, and the Panama Canal.  In more recent years she enjoyed going to Red Feather Lakes, especially during the fall.

She is survived by children Cathy Kilker of Broomfield, CO, Deb (Darrel) Mertens of Sterling, CO, Tom (Michelle Guyton) Piekenbrock of Longmont, CO, grandchildren Joseph Piekenbrock, Jonathan (Taylor) Piekenbrock, Lindsey (Shawn) Kelly, Patrick (Allison) Mertens, and great grandchildren Harrison and McFadden Mertens.  She was preceded in death by mother Clara, stepfather E.E. McFadden, father James McMurtry, brother James Gifford McMurtry, husband Ted J. Piekenbrock, son Ted E. Piekenbrock, and son-in-law Dean Kilker.

Mass of Christian burial will be at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, July 18, 2023 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 1730 W 12^th St., Loveland, CO 80537.  Burial will follow at the Louisville Cemetery, 2105 Empire Rd, Louisville, CO 80027.  The family will honor Shirley’s wishes and there will be no public viewing.

A memorial can be made to St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Loveland, CO or to a charity of one’s choice.