Broken Bow, NE- Shirley Westerlin Wood, age 91 of Broken Bow died Wednesday October 7, 2015 at the Heritage Hall Nursing Home in Broken Bow.

Funeral services will be held on Monday October 12, 2015 at 10:30 AM at the Christian Church in Overton with Pastor Will Thompson officiating. Burial will be in the Overton Cemetery with Govier Bros. Mortuary in Broken Bow of Broken Bow in charge of the arrangements.

Shirley Maxine Ferguson was born on July 10, 1924 at the family home north of Broken Bow to Roy and Hazel (Helmick) Ferguson. The family moved south of Broken Bow and lived in the Round Hill community on the Buckeye Ranch for many years.

Shirley attended the Round Hill School through the 10th grade, and then finished high school at Sumner, NE. Following high school she moved to Broken Bow and was employed by the ASCS office.

On September 2, 1945 she was married to Dwayne “Bud” Westerlin of Overton, NE. To this union a daughter, Jill was born. Shirley and Bud were married 54 years. They made their home in Overton. Bud passed away on July 11, 2000.

July 28, 2004, she was married to Neil Wood of Broken Bow. They enjoyed 8 years together and would take evening drives to look for wildlife, to look at crops, cattle and horses which they both loved.

At an early age Shirley accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior. A good part of her life was spent serving the Lord in music, as a Sunday School Teacher, helping with the VBS and in other ways, especially to those in need. She affirmed her faith to family shortly before her passing saying, “I know and trust Jesus as my Savior.”

She will be remembered for her piano playing and her compassionate heart. She was a joy to be around and always spoke kindly of others. Many appeals for help flooded her mailbox daily and one in particular was the Sioux Indian School for Children, which she supported for many years. Shirley also supported missionaries throughout the years.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Bud Westerlin; husband, Neil Wood; sister, Bonnie Guilford; and one niece, Tracy Ferguson.

She leaves to mourn; her daughter Jill (Nathan) Kaufman of Newton, KS, 1 granddaughter Crystal (John) Heard, brother, Jim (Edna) Ferguson of Windsor, CO, brother, Tom (Robin) Ferguson of Clovis, NM, step children; Cheryl (Mick) Ryan of Minden, and Walt Wood of Omaha, 4 step grandchildren, and 6 step great grandchildren.