Wilma Lorene Shear, 95

Wilma Lorene Shear was born October 31, 1927 in Clay County, NE, the daughter of Fred and Elma (Barber) Woodhead. The family all moved to the Rock County, NE area in 1933. Lorene came to know Jesus as her Lord and Savior through a Sunday School teacher in her early years. Jesus received mom to him on Thursday, February 16, 2023 where she passed away at Heritage Estates in Gering, NE at the age of 95 years, three months and 16 days.

Lorene graduated from Rock County High School in 1945 and taught in Rock County at the Twin Lakes School for two years. She married Kenneth B. Shear on August 9, 1947 at the Methodist parsonage in Ainsworth, NE. They ranched south of Bassett, NE for several years and moved into town in 1964 at which time they bought the Sandhills Motel. The motel was sold in 1977.

Lorene was a lifetime member of the United Methodist Church and taught Sunday School for several years. There she was a member and officer of the Builders Group. Reading her Bible daily gave her great joy. She was a member of the Night Owls Club.

Lorene worked in the Rock County Courts for 25 years as a clerk magistrate. She was also a lifetime member of the Rock County American Legion Auxiliary and the Long Pine VFW Auxiliary.

The Sandhills of Nebraska were dear to her heart. Kenneth and Lorene relocated to Scottsbluff, NE in 2000. Here she delighted in being a red hatter, part of the UMC visitation group, the Mary Martha Bible study, and a birthday group. Mom loved making her house a home and gathering her family and friends here. She particularly enjoyed the times her grandchildren and great-grandchildren could visit her. One of her greatest joys was to have worked beside her husband.

Mom was friends with whoever was in her path, greeting them with kindness and desiring to know them better. She looked forward to coffee time with family and friends.

Lorene was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Kenneth; sisters, Laverna (Vernon) Sharp, Lila Kepler, Jeanne (Fred) Shelor; a brother, Wally (Katie) Woodhead and a great-grandson, TJ.

She is survived by her daughters, Connie (Erny) Bussinger and Bonnie Slaymaker all of Scottsbluff; eight grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren as well as several nieces and nephews and friends.

Funeral Services were held on Tuesday, February 21, 2023 at the Bassett United Methodist Church with Pastor David Randall officiating. Music was provided by JoAnn Swanson with the congregation singing “Amazing Grace” and “Precious Lord Take My Hand.” Casket bearers were Robert Slaymaker, Randy Slaymaker, Brett Bussinger, Brian Bussinger, Scott Wickard and Michael Woodhead. Honorary casket bearers were All of Lorene’s Other Family and Friends. Memorials were suggested to the Bassett United Methodist Church. Interment was in the Bassett Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of the Hoch Funeral Home of Bassett. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.hochfuneralhome.com.