Services, Monday March 20, 2023, 10:30am at Lauber Funeral and Cremation Services, Friend, NE.

Visitation, Sunday March 19, 2023, from 2pm to 8pm at Lauber Funeral and Cremation Services, Friend, NE.

Interment to follow service, Wilber Czech Cemetery, Wilber, NE.

Shirley Anne Sladek of Friend, NE passed away Wednesday March 15, 2023, in Lincoln, NE at the age of 79. Shirley was born August 17, 1943 to Rudolph and Engeline (Langhorst) Slama in Beatrice, NE, the third of six children.

Shirley grew up with her family near Swanton, NE and later moved with her family to a farm south of Friend, NE. Shirley especially loved working with her dad on the farm, milking cows, hauling bales, and doing anything outside was her favorite place to be.

After graduating from Friend High School in 1961 she attended business school in Omaha, NE and then began working at the Crete Mills, where she met her husband, William Sladek Jr. Bill and Shirley were married October 19, 1963, and to this union six children were born, Bill, Peggy, Kathy, Christy, Rex, and David.

Shirley loved cooking, gardening, crocheting, sewing, playing cards, and caring for her family. She raised and canned almost everything her family ate and her cooking was THE BEST. She loved treating co-workers, neighbors, and businesses with her tremendous goods and it was always said that she could make shoe leather taste good. She loved sharing and had a heart of gold, with a great smile, contagious laugh, and was a pillar of strength. Her work ethic was second to none, and she could run circles around those young enough to be her grandchildren. She was incredible.

Shirley was a dedicated, reliable LPN and licensed EMT for many years. She worked countless shifts over the years at Friend, Geneva, and Exeter. The highlight of her nursing career was being able to attend the C-Section birth of a patient’s child. She was honored to be able to share in such a special moment and always said what an incredible experience it was.

During her retirement years Shirley enjoyed helping in the school kitchen and really enjoyed watching the kids grow and following their activities.

Shirley is survived by her children, Bill (Tammy) Sladek of Cordova, NE, Peggy (Billy) Baugh of Friend, NE, Christy (Jeremy) Wagner of Denver, IA, David (Vanessa) Sladek of Friend, NE. Grandchildren, Kelly (Mitch) Rischling of Milligan, NE, Kimberly (Tanner) Gloystein of Exeter, NE, Brett Baugh, Becky (Williamson) of Crete, NE, Jordyn Baugh (Joe Bechtle) of Lincoln, NE, Brooke Baugh of LaVista, NE, Jakob and Lucas Wagner of Denver, IA, Kyler, Hadley, and Bristol Sladek of Friend, NE, four great grandchildren. Siblings, Norman (Mona) Slama of Lincoln, NE, Janice (Jerry) Heyen of Yakima, WA, Karen Clem of Bellingham, WA. Several nieces and nephews.

Shirley was preceded in death by her husband, William Sladek Jr, and her children Kathy Sladek, and Rex Sladek. Parents Rudolph and Engeline Slama. Siblings, Ronald Slama, and Milton Slama, brother-in-law, Norman Clem. Parents in law, William Sr, and Mary Sladek, sisters-in-law, Mayme (Lumir) Kvasnicka, Anna (Eugene) Cookus, Velma (Kenneth) Kubicek, Rose (Richard) Pierson, brother-in-law, Jerry Sladek.