Shirley May Gadeken

Shirley Brabec Gadeken, born May 23, 1936, in Stanton County, Nebraska, passed away on June 8, 2025, in Sun City, Arizona at age 89. She was the youngest of five children of Joseph and Albina Brabec. After graduating from Stanton High School in 1954, she married Leonard Gadeken in 1956. Together, they had four children: Michelle, Michael, Timothy (Rhonda), and John (Amber) plus thirteen grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter.

After graduating high school, Shirley taught 14 students in a one-room schoolhouse for two years. She later followed her husband Leonard to Arlington, Virginia during his army service. They returned to Nebraska and lived in Laurel, Norfolk and Wayne before moving to Greeley, Colorado in 1970. While raising her children, she sold Avon and Mary Kay and eventually began working at the University of Northern Colorado in 1984. She began in the Copy Shop at UNC, then work at the Retired Service Volunteer Program and finally the Registrar Office, as a Student Advisor, before retiring in 2000. In 2012 Shirley and Leonard became snowbirds after purchasing their second home in Sun City West Arizona, spending 6 months every winter in Arizona. In 2018, they made a permanent move to Arizona.  In retirement, Shirley enjoyed traveling the world, playing cards and bingo, painting glass bottles, and spending time at the family cabin in the mountains. She was active in her church, many different clubs and cherished the time spent with her grandchildren. She was predeceased by her parents, three brothers (Joe, Victor, Lambert), sister (Elby), two grandsons (Bryan, Jacob), and her beloved husband, Leonard.

A memorial service is scheduled for August 9, 2025, at 10:00 am at the Crown of Life Church in Sun City West, Arizona. In lieu of flowers, any donations should be given to the Crown of Life Church in Sun City West, Arizona.