Shirley M. Nielsen, 91, of Minden, passed away on Friday, January 30, 2026 at Kearney County Health Services in Minden. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, February 6, 2026 at Minden Evangelical Free Church with Rev. Tom Barnes officiating. The service will be streamed to the church's YouTube page. Interment will be held following the service at the Minden Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 5, 2026 at Craig Funeral Home in Minden. Memorials in Shirley's honor are kindly suggested to the Minden Evangelical Free Church or to the family for future designation. Arrangements are under the care of Craig Funeral Home in Minden.

Shirley Mae Nielsen was born on November 6, 1934 near Roseland to Alfred and Anna (Mazel) Juranek. In her younger years the family moved to a farm near Campbell, where she attended school and graduated from Campbell High School with the class of 1952. She was baptized and confirmed at Campbell Presbyterian Church.

After high school, she moved to Minden and worked at the dime store. She was married to Herbert Nielsen on July 4, 1953 at Bethany Lutheran Church. Shirley returned with Herbert to Colorado Springs where he was stationed in the service. In 1955 the couple returned to Minden and settled on the family farm east of Minden. They were blessed two children: Lonney and Valerie.

Although most of the years were spent working on the farm. She raised chickens and delivered milk and eggs to customers in the surrounding area of Minden.

Shirley was very active in the community. She was a member of the Bethany Lutheran Church, where she taught Sunday school and Bible school during the summer, and hosted camp kids in their home. She was a 4-H leader, extension club member and sewed with the Willing Workers Club. Herb and Shirley loved to entertain and dance. Shirley organized and started the Pioneer Promenaders Square Dance Club where local couples learned how to square dance from weekly lessons. She also was involved with the Danish Dancers and the organization of Danish Days. Shirley kept busy with her gardening, canning fruits and vegetables on the farm.

In 1991, Herb and Shirley retired and moved into Minden. They continued to entertain and travel. They looked forward to the grandchildren coming every Saturday morning for brunch and time in the hot tub.

Those left to cherish her memory include her son Lonney (Suzanne) Nielsen of Minden; daughter, Valerie (Bruce) Shepherd of Minden; grandchildren, Danielle Nielsen (Scott Bonneau), Chris Nielsen, Kirk (Machaela) Nielsen, Alex (Ali) Nielsen, Brittney Shepherd, and Kelsey (Justin) Jorgensen; great-grandchildren, Tessa, Logan, and Cole Nielsen, Barry Nielsen, Augie Nielsen, Kyren, Natalie, Reah and Isla Jorgensen, and Emerson Shepherd; brother-in-law, Clyde Frerichs; sister-in-law Lora Juranek; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, extended relatives and close friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Herbert; brothers, James Juranek, LaVern Juranek, and Virgil (Dean) Juranek; sisters, Maxine (Edward) Morgan, Phyllis (Marlin) Sorensen and Lela Frerichs.

Tributes and memories can be shared with the family at www.craigfunerals.com .