Caroline A. Shearer

Caroline (Karrie) Heberlein Shearer, 102, of Greeley, went home to the Lord on March 20, 2020 at Pathways Hospice. Karrie was born to John Christian and Katherine (Young) Schafer on July 28, 1917 in Hoisington, Kansas. The family eventually moved to Windsor, CO where they farmed. In her teens, Karrie sang in the church choir where she met and married Jake Heberlein in March of 1936. They moved to an area known as Farmer’s Spur outside of Greeley where they continued farming and raised a family of three children. The farming experience included a dairy, raising Hereford cattle, harvesting beets, and hay. Jake and Karrie had great friends and enjoyed all of the local dances. Karrie would open her home afterward to share her excellent cooking with ‘after dance’ meals. When Jake became ill, they moved to town where Karrie cared for him in the home until his death in 1956. After a number of years, Karrie met and married Hank Shearer in November of 1961. They also enjoyed dances, Elks Club functions, and travels. During this time, Karrie worked for many years at The Denver Dry and Fashion Bar in downtown Greeley. She later worked and retired from the Weld County Health Department. Together, they supported and loved a new generation of grandchildren. Karrie enjoyed household endeavors such as cleaning and cooking, and earlier, stitchery and reading. She especially liked German foods, such as krautburgers, green bean soup, blina, and rival kuga. For many years, she and her family attended St. Paul’s Congregational Church, and once homebound, she enjoyed watching Joel Olsteen’s services on TV, along with numerous game and talk shows, and her favorite, COPS. Mostly, she loved receiving visitors of family and friends. Her wit, humor, and memory were with her always. Being 102 years old, Karrie saw and experienced many events. A personal experience, and a strong memory of hers from her farm days, was feeding the WWII prisoners of war who worked the nearby farms, including Karrie’s. Throughout the years, Karrie answered the call to hard work; in fact, she credited this as her key to longevity. Karrie is survived by her son, Jerry Heberlein (Joyce); son in law John (Kathy) Northrop; daughters in law Sharon Heberlein, Bonnie Heberlein; 7 grandchildren, Renae (Gary) Stringer, Amy (John) Lee, Heidi (Adrian) Dater, Marne (Kenny) Spangler, Tanya (Larry) Schneider, Jeff Heberlein, and Jim (Tanya) Heberlein; 13 great grandchildren, Ashley (Robert) Sherman, Sarah (Kevin) Baumgartner, Michael and Joe Lee, Tommy Dater, Ally and Lexi Spangler, Alec and Jessie Schneider, Madison, James Jr, Shelby, and Jacob Heberlein; 2 great-great grandchildren, Emily ‘Caroline’ and Wesley Sherman; and extended family and friends. Karrie was preceded in death by her first and second husband; children, Betty Northrop and Tom Heberlein, 7 siblings, and her parents. Memorial contributions in Karrie Shearer’s name can be made out to Pathways Hospice in care of Adamson Life Celebration Home, 2000 47th Avenue, Greeley, Colorado 80634. To leave condolences for Karrie’s family, please visit www.adamsoncares.com. Due to health concerns, a Life Celebration Memorial will be held at a later time. Adamson Life Celebration Home will update dates and times as they are scheduled.