Shirley Marsh

Shirley Marsh of Ansley, formerly of Grand Island, passed away on December 31, 2017 at Kearney Good Samaritan Hospital at the age of 83.

She was born on January 5, 1934 at Westerville, Nebraska to Milford and Dorthy (Baker) Casteel. She married Doyle Marsh in 1948 and had 3 children, Rodney, Dorthea and Michael. During this time she ran the cafe at Doyle's station on the highway in Ansley for many years. She was best known for her outstanding fried chicken. In 1971 she and Doyle separated and she moved to Grand Island. Shirley then worked at the Ramada Inn as a hostess, and then as a cashier at Kmart. In 1983 she met Ed Gooding and they were together for 31 years until his death in 2014. They spent several years together visiting garage sales and helping others until Ed's health got too bad. Shirley then spent the remainder of Ed's life caring for him. In 2016 she moved to Ansley to be closer to her family.

Shirley loved shopping, going to garage sales and collecting dishes. She loved her cats, especially her most recent cat, Jenna. But her true love was doting on her many grandchildren. Family was the most important part of her life. She would spend all year buying Christmas presents for every family member, making sure that everyone had at least 3-4 gifts from her.

She will be sadly missed by her surviving children, Rodney (Sharon} Marsh of Ansley, and Michael (Karen} Marsh of North Platte, Son-in-law James Buchanan of Omaha; Grandchildren Jim (Ashley) Buchanan, Kristi (Ken) Buller, Jimmy (Stacey) Marsh, Alan (Listy) Schmidt, Carol (Jeff) Fairlie, Jason Marsh, Tyler Marsh and Traci (Adam) Lucas; Great­ grandchildren Jordan Marsh, Courtney Marsh, Matt Marsh, Cainan Marsh, J.J. Buchanan, Quinn Buchanan, Cameron Buller, Amelia Marsh, Travis Schmidt, Troy (Krissie) Schmidt, Elizabeth (John Ross) Haynes, Allison Volkert and Joshua Fairlie; Great-great grandchildren Carter Schmidt, Marcus Smallcomb; Sister-in-law Bernita Casteel; Nephew Greg Casteel

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, Milford and Dorthy Casteel, step-mother Thelma Casteel, a sister Marjorie Cumming, a brother Richard Casteel, daughter Dorthea Buchanan, former husband Doyle Marsh and partner Ed Gooding.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday January 6, 2018 at 10:30 AM at the First Christian Church in Ansley, NE. The family requests that friends dress causal for the services. A visitation will be held on Friday January 5, 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the First Christian Church in Ansley.  Memorials are suggested to the Ansley American Legion.  Burial will be in the Ansley Cemetery.  Govier Brothers Mortuary of Broken Bow is in charge of the arrangements. 

Online condolences can be left at www.govierbrothers.com