Shirley passed away on Sunday, February 11, 2024 at CHI-Lakeside Hospital in Omaha, NE.

Shirley Ann Donahoo was born on October 25, 1960 in Riverton, Wyoming to Paul and Mary Ann Donahoo. She was the eldest of six children, grew up mainly in the Sheridan, Wyoming area and graduated from Sheridan High School in 1979.

Shirley joined the full-time workforce working for Kiewit Mining at Decker Coal Company. Her husband-to-be, Jay Luedtke, started at Decker in 1977 but had since been promoted to a position at Big Horn Coal. Shirley attended Jay’s softball games and so their relationship began.

Jay returned to Omaha with Kiewit in February, 1982 and Shirley followed In April. Although there were doubters, Shirley and Jay were united in marriage on November 18th, 1983 in Wisner, NE and celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary in November, 2023.

They have three children Jeana, Jason and Kristin. The kids really love their mom -- she is “The Glue.” Jay and Shirley also have two grandsons, Miles and Nash. It’s unfortunate and painful to imagine that those two grandsons are so young that they will grow up not knowing first-hand how wonderful their Grandma Shirley was! Her name will be spoken often, and with joy.

Shirley coached youth soccer and was also active herself. She was a good skier, loved to play co-ed softball with a lot of life long-friends, and bowled. She was the ultimate soccer mom and attended all the girls’ soccer and basketball games, near and far.

Shirley was diagnosed with MS in 1995. She seldom complained about the disability; mostly she felt that it was manageable. We honestly feel that she derived strength from what most would view as a hindrance.

Always very active in her church, FaithWestwood United Methodist in Omaha, Shirley looked forward to greeting every Sunday, attended weekly bible study classes, and volunteered at Vacation Bible School.

Shirley has been blessed with several nicknames---Shoogie, Shirls, and Ninny, to name a few.

There is not a single person that has something negative to say about Shirley. She was just simply a VERY nice person -- a quality we should all possess! Life was so simple for her -Family, Faith, Friends. if you have those three things, you really have a lot.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, Paul & Mary Ann Donahoo, sister Cindy Redenbaugh, and brother Jerry Donahoo. She is survived by her brother, Brion Donahoo of Gillette WY, brother Paul Low of Coram, MT, and sister Connie Holwell of Castle Rock, CO.
She is also survived by her husband, Jay Luedtke of Omaha, daughter Jeana (Frani) Fring of Bingen, Germany, son Jason Luedtke of Omaha, daughter Kristin (Derek) Noehren of Omaha, grandson Miles Jay Fring of Bingen, Germany and grandson Nash Carter Noehren of Omaha.

We have been more than blessed to have had Shirley as a part of our lives. She is the center of our world, and Jay’s rock. Heaven is an even better place now that Shirley has arrived!