Rebecca Shepherd

Posted

Sept. 14, 1937 - Jan. 12, 2021

Rebecca Kay Shepherd, age 83, passed away January 12, 2021, in Tucson, Ariz.

Rebecca is survived by her sons; David (Maryann) Shepherd, of Tucson, Ariz.; Todd (Sheryl) Shepherd of Blair; Dennis (Anne) Shepherd of Louisville, Ky., and a daughter Sondra (James) Thompson of Blair, Nebraska; 10 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren She is also survived by a sister Susie (Gary) Brummett of Blair and numerous nieces and nephews.

Rebecca was preceded in death by her parents, George and Mabel (Swanson) Nordquist; her husband of nearly 64 years, Larry Shepherd; sisters, Joann Dannels and Sharon Clear

Rebecca was born Sept. 14, 1937, at her grandmothers' home in Waterville, Kan. She grew up in Vermillion, Kan., and graduated from Frankfort, Kan., High School in 1955. She married Larry Shepherd on Jan. 1, 1957, while he was home on leave after being in the Air Force three years.

Although Becky began her nurses training in Concordia, Kan., in 1957, it would be six address changes, four children and several years before she received her nursing degree. Becky enjoyed painting, quilting, sewing, knitting, stamping, making cards, gardening, particularly flowers as well as any and all things related to butterflies. Later in life, volunteering at church and golf would also be on her to do list. She has lived in Waterville, Kan., Frankfort, Kan., Moses Lake, Wash., Manhattan, Kan., Wichita, Kan., St. Louis, Mo., Gretna, Georgetown, Texas, Omaha, Honolulu, Hawaii, Omaha, and Vermillion, Kan., before retiring to Green Valley, Ariz.

A joint memorial service for Becky and Larry (who passed away two weeks prior) is being scheduled for Memorial Weekend 2021 in Frankfort, Kan.