Shirley Mae Heine

Shirley Mae Heine, 90 of Cozad, passed away Sunday, August 22, 2021 in Lexington.

Shirley Mae (Haugh) Heine was born in Lexington, Nebraska on December 8, 1930 to David Rodney Haugh and Ethel Frances (Derby) Haugh. She grew up on the family farm 12 miles northwest of Lexington and attended rural school District #16 through 8^th grade. She graduated from Cozad High with the class of 1948. Upon graduation, she received her Nebraska Teaching Certificate.

Shirley gave her life to Christ and was baptized at the age of 12 at the Christian Church in Cozad, Nebraska. It was through her faith she would go on through the years teaching Sunday School, Youth Leadership, and played as the church pianist. Currently, she was fellowshipping with LexChristian Church where she participated in and facilitated a Bible Study there.

Growing up, she was active in 4-H and competed at the NE State Fair with speech/demonstrations 2 years. She was active in her church high school youth group and loved racing stock cars with her brother Rodney. Later, they would compete in stock car races with Shirley in the Powder Puff rounds.

Shirley started teaching at the age of 17 and taught for 12 years in the rural school districts in Dawson and Frontier counties as well as Cozad City Schools. Even though she resigned her full time position, Shirley still loved teaching and would go on to be a substitute teacher for area schools for the next 37+ years!

On November 27, 1960 she married the most handsome self-confirmed bachelor in Dawson County, Chris Heine. To this happy couple three children were born: Kristin, Shelly, and Jeff.

She was a staunch supporter of agriculture and loved to work alongside Chris, working in the field and hauling corn during harvest.  She joined a variety of clubs and organizations to promote it. She was active as a Farm Bureau board member (Woman-at-Large), Pork Producers Wives, Town and Country Garden Club, Extension Club, Dawson County Iris Society, and represented Dawson County on the Nebraska State Extension board.

Shirley loved to read, entertain, and play the piano. She gave piano lessons for over 30 years to area students and her grandchildren. She enjoyed sewing, crochet, and embroidery, as well as working with her hands in her garden and flower beds.

As the grandchildren came, she and Chris loved following Jacque and Neil to horse shows and school events. They were even able to see the great-grandchildren perform at their events and school functions. Witty banter was always fun for her.

Survivors include her children, Jeff (Lauree) Heine of Lexington, Nebraska, Shelly (Dale) Henderson of Cozad, Nebraska, and Kristin Heine of Lexington, Nebraska; four grandchildren, Jacque Henderson, Neil Henderson, Amanda McCarter (Ben Jensen), and Samantha (Calvin) Shaw; four great-grandchildren, Payton Pond, Lani Shaw, Dalton McCarter, and Hailey Jensen, as well as extended family members and friends.

Shirley will be greeted in heaven by her parents, David and Ethel Haugh; brother and sister-in-law, Rodney and Dorothy Haugh and brother and sister-in-law; Gilbert and Aurella (Ringenberg) Heine; sister in law and brother-in-law, Twila (Heine) and Marvin Smith and her loving husband Chris.

Funeral Services will be held Thursday, August 26, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. at LexChristian Church in Lexington with Pastor Daniel Sauer officiating.

Interment will be in the Hillside Cemetery northwest of Lexington.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, August 25, 2021, from 5-7 p.m. at the Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington.

Memorials are suggested to the family for later designation.

Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is honored to be assisting the family with arrangements. Please share online condolences with the family by visiting: reynoldslovefunerahome.com