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Obituary

Shirley M. Equall

February 5, 1941 - July 6, 2018

Shirley M. Equall

Shirley May (Bishop) Equall of Lincoln, NE, died peacefully on July 6, 2018 in Lincoln from a rare form of liver cancer with her family by her side. She was born February 5, 1941, in Fullerton, NE, to Roy Miles and Helen Louise (Sidders) Bishop. She grew up on a farm six miles northwest of Fullerton. She attended grade school at District #27 in Nance County. She graduated from Fullerton High School in 1958 and was salutatorian of her class. She attended Kearney State College from 1958-1960 earning a two-year teaching certificate. In the Fall of 1960 she started her teaching career in the Central City Public Schools. She taught third grade for ten years at South Ward Elementary School. In 1965 she graduated from Kearney State College with a Bachelor’s of Art degree in elementary education after taking night classes in Grand Island, NE, and attending summer school.

In 1966 she met the love of her life, Steve Arlis Equall. He had been hired to teach Vocational Agriculture in the Central City Public Schools. They were married August 5, 1967, at the Fullerton United Methodist Church.

In the summer of 1970 they moved to Lincoln, NE, where Shirley continued her teaching career with the Lincoln Public Schools at Prescott Elementary, and Steve started working for the State Department of Education as a Vocational Special Needs consultant.

In January 1971 Shirley resigned her teaching position to prepare for the birth of their first daughter. Stephanie Ann Equall was born on April 17, 1971. A second daughter Shelley Elizabeth Equall was born on November 7, 1973.

Shirley was a stay at home mom in the early years of the girls’ lives. In 1977 she started to substitute teach for the Lincoln Public Schools. She did this for 30+ years doing many long-term assignments.

Shirley had many special memories of growing up on the farm without many of the basic necessities of running water and electricity. She was especially proud of her country school education and her 4-H experiences of showing cattle, sewing, and cooking. She had many special memories of all the family get-togethers.

She loved to garden, bake (especially Christmas cookies), play cards, dance, and watch music/dance and sporting events (The Cornhusker Marching Band and all Husker sports) especially those involving her children and grandchildren. Her family was so very special to her. She especially enjoyed all the family trips and always looked forward to attending all the grandchildren’s activities (piano, dance, baseball, band, show choir). She also loved participating in the Nance County Journal football contest each fall. She won her share of the contests.

She was a member or South Gate United Methodist Church since 1971. She served on many committees, taught Sunday school and Vacation Bible School.

Survivors are her two daughters, Stephanie Ann (Jim) Loos of Lincoln and Shelley Elizabeth (Brian) Harmon of Plattsmouth; 3 grandchildren, Eric and Melissa Loos, and Ellyott Harmon; one sister, Donna Liske of Greeley, NE; one nephew, Bill (Jodie) Bishop of Fremont, NE; 3 great nephews, Liam, Jackson, and Henry Bishop. Preceding her in death was her husband, Steve, her parents, brother Richard who died in infancy, brother and sister in law, Ronald and Janett Bishop, and brother in law, Donald Liske.

Funeral service will be held, 10 a.m., Tuesday (7-10-18) at Roper and Sons Funeral Home, 4300 ‘O’ St. Lincoln, NE. Public visitation Monday 2-8 p.m., with family greeting friends Monday 5-7 p.m. at Roper and Sons Funeral Home, 4300 ‘O’ St. Burial at Wyuka Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be directed towards the family for future designation.

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