Shirley Shantz

Shirley L. Shantz, 82, passed away Wednesday March 28, 2018 at Life Care Center in Casper, WY. She was born June 1, 1935 in a farm house near Pollock, Missouri to Pearl Everette Dennis and Alma Pearl (Rodgers) Dennis. Shirley was the eldest of three children. She grew up in Sullivan County, MO until she was 12 yrs old, then moved with her family to Bridgeport, NE. Shirley married Robert Roebuck in 1951, and to this union had 6 children. Shirley and her family moved near Alliance Ne in 1960 from Missouri. Shirley was employed at Sta Nu Cleaners, Electric Hose & Rubber and BNSF while in Alliance. After retiring, Shirley and Robert moved to the Black Hills where she lived for 20 years. Shirley married Don Shantz in 1999. Shirley was a hard worker and always said that she wanted to keep busy as long as her father did, whom was the light of her life. Shirley loved horses and trains. She was proud of saving the BNSF Round House in Alliance when the boilers were about to blow. She is the one that stayed and risked her life to shut them down while others vacated premises. She also was a hoot when working at the Wild Horse Sanctuary while driving bus through the hills. She loved to show she could get that bus up a sharp incline without a sweat, and also had the pleasure of helping Stephanie Powers there. Her favorite horse, Stephie 34 yrs, died just 7 months before her. We picture her riding away on this magnificent Arabian. Shirley has always seen the best in people opening her heart and home to many. Her children and descendants were her pride and joy. Shirley is survived by her husband Donald Shantz of Custer, SD, her children Dusty Roebuck of Green Castle, MO, Gloria Sherlock of Hemingford, NE, Vickie (Rick) Fitzgerald and Sherrie (Steve) Kuhnel of Gillette, WY, Tammy (Lee) Adler of Hastings, NE, 11 grandchildren, 27 great grandchildren and 7 great, great grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother Marvin (Valinda) Dennis of Pollock MO and best friend Lavonne Parker of Dalton, NE Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, daughter Vivian Sundberg, grandchildren Misty Hirsch, Steven Michael Kuhnel, and great grandchild Annette Hirsch and brother Larry Dennis. In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to the Humane Society.