Shirley A. Duncan, 87, Hartley

A funeral service for Shirley A. Duncan was held Monday, Aug. 7, 2023, at Grace Fellowship Church in Hartley. Pastor Michael Hyde and Jessica Kraayenbrink officiated.

Pallbearers were Robert Nichols, Daniel Duncan, Kevin Duncan, Shana Vander Tuig, Brian Duncan, Jennifer Halder, Ryan Halder, Jessica Kraayenbrink, Nichole Duncan and Brittany Verdoorn. Interment was at Pleasant View Cemetery in Hartley. Hartley Funeral Home assisted with the arrangements.

Shirley Ann Duncan was born Nov. 12, 1935, to Elmer and Zelma (Duke) Mohror at their farm place north of Peterson. Shirley had attended Peterson Consolidated School for two years, but after moving to the farm she attended country school for four years until its closing. She then went back to Peterson where she completed her education and graduated from Peterson High School. Growing up, Shirley loved living on the farm, helping with chores and field work along with her parents and sisters, Barbara and Beverly. This love for the farm would stay with her the rest of her life.

Shirley married the love of her life, Robert Jay Duncan, on July 2, 1954. Throughout their marriage they lived and worked on farms in Peterson, Everly and Hartley while raising three sons and two daughters. She also worked off the farm at the Soil Conservation Office and Ken’s Feed Store in Sutherland. After retirement she enjoyed working at JCPenney where she could be found bringing home stylish outfits or a nice pair of shoes.

Shirley was a member of the United Methodist Churches of Peterson, Everly and Hartley, where she was often found teaching the young children in Sunday school. Shirley absolutely loved being outdoors. If there was an activity to do outside you could always find Shirley being involved, whether it was mowing, gardening, field work or harvest. One of Shirley’s favorite family activities was camping trips with the entire family to the Black Hills and Yankton, S.D., and the Okoboji Lakes area. After retirement Shirley and Robert spent several winters camping in southern Texas.

Shirley passed away peacefully from this life on Saturday, July 29, 2023, at the age of 87. She is survived by her children: Deborah (Steve) Rohrbaugh, Richard (Karen) Duncan, David (Peggy) Duncan, Diana Halder and Darrel (Gina) Duncan; her grandchildren: Robert (Paytra) Nichols, Shana (Kyle) Vander Tuig, Brian Duncan, Daniel (Mari) Duncan, Kevin (friend, Salena) Duncan, Paige Duncan (wife of Jeffrey), Jennifer Halder (fiancé, Anthony Masad), Ryan (Meagan) Halder, Jessica (Joshua) Kraayenbrink, Nichole Duncan and Brittany (Jason) Verdoorn; seven great-grandchildren: Payton, Ryder, Doug, Alivia, Remmy, Rowan, Finnley and Charlotte; her sisters: Barbara Rohrbaugh and Beverly Kreibaum; sister-in-law, Ethel Hyde; and several nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death were her husband, Robert: her parents, Elmer and Zelma Mohror; son-in-law, Gary Halder; grandchildren: Mindy Marie Nichols and Jeffrey Robert Duncan; brothers-in-law: Dale Kreibaum, Ronald Rohrbaugh, Remington Hyde, Harry Jalas and Kenneth Maurer; and sisters-in-law: Esther Jalas and Alice Maurer.