Shirley Ann (Lockwood) Brethour

Shirley Ann (Lockwood) Brethour, 88, of Torrington, Wyoming passed away on August 21, 2024, surrounded by family.

Shirley was born to Raymond and Ethel (Francisco) Lockwood in Kimball, Nebraska, on April 26, 1936. She was preceded in death by her husband Harold (Hal) Brethour, her parents, her in-laws Ted and Kate Brethour, and her daughter Sandy Schwartzkopf.

Shirley grew up on the family farm with her older brother Jack, just outside of Bushnell and attended school at Kimball, Nebraska, where she graduated in 1953. Shirley always had fond memories of the family farm and her time spent attending Kimball, where she was very active in school events. She was a member of the FFA, Choir and was also a cheerleader. She would recount that she first remembered meeting Hal her freshman year as a cheerleader when Mitchell came to town to play Kimball in basketball and he was instrumental in handing them the loss. It was in high school as well that Shirley developed a passion for the medical field, working as a nurse's aide at the Kimball Hospital.

Upon graduation, Shirley enrolled at the Western Nebraska General Hospital School of Nursing. While there, Hal's sister Ruth, also a nurse, introduced them and thought they would hit it off. She had remembered him as the player from Mitchell that beat them in basketball, but went out with him anyway. They began dating and after she graduated as a Registered Nurse, the couple wed on September 2, 1956. They had been married for 63 years at the time of his passing. The next few years were a whirlwind. When they started dating Hal was attending WNCC. The newlyweds moved to San Jose, where Hal continued his education, but after a short time Hal transferred to the University of Nebraska at Kearney, where Shirley worked as an RN. Upon earning his degree in 1958, Hal took a job at Trenton, Nebraska, and a year later the couple moved to Harrisburg, Nebraska, where he taught Industrial Arts and coached.

They started a family with the addition of two daughters, Sandy and Susie, moved in 1962 to Torrington, Wyoming, where Hal taught Industrial Arts at the High School. A year later, a third daughter, Sherry, was born. Shirley transitioned from the role of nursing to a stay-at-home mom. With three young daughters, you can imagine how busy she was! She was active as a leader in 4-H and was an excellent seamstress. She passed these traits along to her daughters and granddaughters. She kept the girls active in groups, such as leading them in Bluebirds and of course church. Shirley was very active in the United Methodist church and her circles, and always instrumental in the prayer chains.

With all this, probably her greatest attribute was the role she spent most of her life in. There was not a more quintessential grandmother than Grandma Shirley. She spent 43 years in the role and was always there for her grandchildren. Not a birthday, Easter or Christmas went by that her grandchildren weren't made to feel special. She was a kind and compassionate soul, never having a bad word to say of anyone and gave her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren a very special gift in how to treat others. She will be missed by all of them so deeply.

Shirley is survived by her brother Jack (JoAnn) Lockwood of Kimball, NE, daughters Susie (Buck) Klemola and Sherry (Tom) Kelly, and son-in-law Rick Schwartzkopf all of Torrington; grandchildren Joel (Rachel) Schwartzkopf of Seattle, WA, Bethany Schwartzkopf of Torrington, Amy (Mike) Ranalletti of Gering, NE, Tressa (Chad) Wellman of Cheyenne, WY, Corrie (Jack) Leiseth of Saratoga, WY, Erika (Philip) Sully of Gilbert, AZ, Jake Kelly of Cheyenne, WY, Jessie Kelly, Caleb Kelly and Grace Kelly, all of Torrington, 13 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

A public viewing was held at 9:00 a.m. at the United Methodist Church, 2702 Main Street, Torrington, WY on September 3, 2024, followed by a funeral at 10:00 a.m. and then graveside services and interment at Valley View Cemetery. A light lunch was be served at the church following services.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Sandy Schwartzkopf Scholarship Trust at the University of Wyoming by calling 307-766-6300 or e-mailing [email protected]; The United Methodist Church of Torrington, WY; or Waggin' Tails Animal Shelter, 436 East 22nd, Torrington, WY 82240.