Shirley E. Dean, 91, of North Platte, passed away January 7, 2018 at the Cozad Care and Rehabilitation Center.  Shirley was born June 27, 1926 in North Platte to Harry and Ethel (Liljegren) Weakly.

Shirley grew up in North Platte, graduating from North Platte High School in 1943.  She attended the School of Commerce in North Platte.  On December 12, 1944 she married Glenn L. Dean in Fresno, CA where Glenn was stationed in the Army Air Corps.  The couple settled in North Platte where Shirley worked at O’Conner’s, Wilson Construction, Schewers, and the Pawnee Hotel as a bookkeeper.  Shirley crafted and sold candles in her store Nebraska Prairie Lites in the 1970’s, was very active in the community, starting a youth activities program.  She was also active in the Historical Society, the Jeffers Museum, Fort McPherson Days parade and pageant, the First Christian Church Youth Ministries, she began a jail ministry in North Platte and volunteered in jails and prisons in Colorado, volunteered at the Women’s Resource Center and Women’s Aglow, she played piano at the nursing homes, and helped at the grade schools by helping children with their reading.

Survivors include children, William Dean, Jack (Diann) Dean all of Fort Collins, CO., and Patricia (Frank) Evans of Smithton, Ill.; sister, Bonnie Hueftle of Eustis, NE; grandchildren, Jeremiah (Karin) Dean, Joshua (Jenny) Dean, Aaron (Stephanie) Dean, Andrew (Betsy) Dean, Samuel (Sharon) Dean, James Evans, Stephen (Michelle) Evans, and John (Kimberly Evans; great-grandchildren, Isacc, Sarah, Elizabeth, Jacob, Caleb, Emily, Thomas, Elizabeth, Nicholas, Tristen, Jaxon, Ronan, and Bri; and great-great-grandchildren, Layla Rose, and Marley.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Glenn; sons, Stephen and Jerry; brothers, Ward and Edward; and a sister, Donna.

Memorials are suggested to the Women’s Resource Center and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.

Services will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 13, 2018 at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home with Chaplain Gary Smith officiating.  Burial will follow at the North Platte Cemetery.  Visitation will be 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Friday at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.