Shirley Ruth Wallen

McCook, Nebraska - Shirley Ruth (Muffley) Wallen, age 85, passed away Tuesday, November 26, 2013 at Willow Ridge Retirement Center in McCook.

Shirley was born September 10, 1928 in Galesburg, Illinois. Her family moved to McCook in 1937. She graduated from McCook High School in 1946 and McCook Junior College in 1948. Following her college graduation, Shirley then taught in the McCook Public Schools.

On June 12, 1949 she married her high school sweetheart, Donald Orman Wallen. The couple lived on a farm southwest of McCook. They were blessed with three children; Marcia, Janet and Craig. She worked as a farm wife and mother, supporting the family farm ranch operation, Driftwood Farms, with her excellent bookkeeping skills.

In 1997 they retired to their home on West 3rd in McCook, and lived there together until Don’s death in 2005. Shirley continued to reside in their home until recent weeks.

Shirley devoted herself in loving service to her family and community. She was a member of the Memorial United Methodist Church for 76 years. Shirley was active in the church, in UMW and PEO, as well as a 4-H leader, Sunday school teacher and a member of the Gloom Chasers Extension Club, active in the Stone Church, the Wheat Growers Association and the Red Willow County Extension Board.

She loved her grandchildren and both Bison and Cornhusker football.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Don; her parents, Robert and Frances (Lindstorm) Muffley; and mother and father-in-law, Lynn and Alice Wallen.

Survivors include her children, Marcia Wallen and husband, Peter Fisher of Rancho Santa Fe, California, Janet Rabinowitz and husband Fred of Redlands, California and Craig Wallen and wife, Linda of McCook; her brother, Gary Muffley and wife, Kathryn of Asheville, North Carolina; and six grandchildren, Milia and Michaela Fisher of Rancho Santa Fe, Karina and Jared Rabinowitz of Redlands, and Shane and Travis Wallen of McCook; sister-in-law, Donna and husband, Hoagy Carmichael of Sun City, Arizona and brother-in-law, Bob Wallen and wife, Carolee of McCook.

Visitation will be Friday, November 29, 2013 from 1:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Carpenter Breland Funeral Home. Family will be present to greet friends from 6 to 8 PM.

Funeral services are Monday, December 2, 2013, 10:30 AM at Memorial United Methodist Church with Rev. Dr. Doug Griger and Pastor Alisa Parde officiating. Burial will held in Memorial Park Cemetery.

Memorials may be given to the Memorial United Methodist Church, 105 East E St., McCook, NE 69001 or to the Cancer Services Fund at Community Hospital Health Foundation, PO Box 1328, McCook, NE 69001.