Shirley Anne Sladek, of Friend, passed away Wednesday, March 15, 2023, in Lincoln, at the age of 79. Shirley was born Aug. 17, 1943, to Rudolph and Engeline (Langhorst) Slama in Beatrice, the third of six children.
Shirley grew up with her family near Swanton, and later moved with her family to a farm south of Friend. 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, and then began working at the Crete Mills, where she met her husband, William Sladek, Jr. Bill and Shirley were married Oct. 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 follow their activities.
Shirley is survived by her children, Bill (Tammy) Sladek of Cordova, Peggy (Billy) Baugh of Friend, Christy (Jeremy) Wagner of Denver, Iowa, and David (Vanessa) Sladek of Friend; grandchildren, Kelly (Mitch) Rischling of Milligan, Kimberly (Tanner) Gloystein of Exeter, Brett Baugh and Becky Williamson of Crete, Jordyn Baugh (Joe Bechtle) of Lincoln, Brooke Baugh of LaVista, Jakob and Lucas Wagner of Denver, and Kyler, Hadley and Bristol Sladek of Friend; four great-grandchildren; siblings, Norman (Mona) Slama of Lincoln, Janice (Jerry) Heyen of Yakima, Washington, and Karen Clem of Bellingham, Washington; and several nieces and nephews.
Shirley was preceded in death by her husband, William Sladek, Jr; 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 and Rose (Richard) Pierson; and brother-in-law, Jerry Sladek.
The funeral service was March 20 with interment at the Wilber Czech Cemetery. Arrangements by Lauber Funeral and Cremation Services.
