Shirley June Smith, age 97, formerly of Omaha, Beaver City and Arapahoe, NE passed away at her apartment in Cedarwood Assisted Living at Fairbury, Nebraska on Thursday, August 20, 2026. She was born on June 26, 1929 to Paul and Rosa (Cornelius) Petersen of Omaha, Nebraska and her siblings were Fred, Lloyd, Eleanor, Anita, Paul, Rose, Carroll and Eldon.

Shirley married Wes Smith on March 17, 1954, and they began their married life on a farm three and a half miles northwest of Hendley, Nebraska. After six years they moved to Beaver City, Nebraska where they lived for twelve years before moving to Arapahoe, Nebraska. When Wes’s health began to decline, they moved to Cedarwood, an assisted living facility in Fairbury, Nebraska.

Shirley was an avid reader and belonged to various book clubs. She enjoyed hearing other people’s perspective and sharing hers as well. Shirley was a great storyteller herself and shared her memories often. She wrote weekly emails to her children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews often sharing a memory of her life, especially memories of growing up and living on a farm.

Shirley was an accomplished baker and cook. Her pies were often requested at family events, and she often referred to her apple pies as “baked by Granny Smith,” which was an example of Shirley’s tongue-in-cheek humor.

Shirley had the greenest thumb and plants thrived with her touch. For most of her life she had a huge garden, growing numerous fruits, vegetables and flowers. Years after she had given up gardening, her green thumb still worked its magic as she nursed back to health many plants at Cedarwood.

Shirley demonstrated her faith in God, throughout her life, beginning each morning with Scripture reading and daily devotions. She was also very active in her church, teaching Sunday School and leading children’s programs at the Presbyterian Church in Beaver City. When they moved to Arapahoe, Shirley became very involved with St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. In both churches, she participated in women’s circles and Bible studies, sharing her faith and fellowship with others. Her faith was not simply something she believed; it was a part of how she lived each day and a legacy she leaves with her family.

After 97 years of a life richly lived, Shirley leaves behind a legacy of love, family, stories and countless blessings. Her journey was long and full, and she leaves us with gratitude for the life she shared with all who knew and loved her.

Shirley is preceded in death by parents, siblings and husband, Wesley Fleming Smith.

She is survived by her, daughters, Polly Jo Phares (Timothy) of Wichita, Kansas, and Wendy Arneson (Mike Borgman) of Beatrice, Nebraska, grandchildren, Melissa Monahan (Jim Monahan) and John Breiner (Alisha Snyder) of Wichita, Kansas, and Dean A. Arneson of Denver, Colorado and great grandchildren, Cole and Bailey Warkentine of Wichita, Kansas.

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” ------Psalm 23:6

Memorials are suggested to the Presbyterian Church's in Fairbury and Beaver City, Cedarwood Assisted Living in Fairbury.