Carol Shepperd

Funeral services for Carol Shepperd were held on Monday, March 14, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church in Burton, NE, with Pastor Bill Serr officiating.

Music was provided by Geoff Smith, soloist, accompanied by Steve Swanson, pianist. Kathy Wenger and Kathy Titus were in charge of registration, and flower attendants were Sandra Heerten, Rachel Ferguson, and Ann Marie Kepler.

Casket bearers were Carol’s grandsons: Douglas Shepperd, Zac Carlisle, Nick Frederick, Anthony Frederick, Gentry Frederick, and great-nephew Logan Ritz. Honorary casket bearers were Carol’s grandchildren: Garrett

Casket bearers were Carol’s grandsons: Douglas Shepperd, Zac Carlisle, Nick Frederick, Anthony Frederick, Gentry Frederick, and great-nephew Logan Ritz. Honorary casket bearers were Carol’s grandchildren: Garrett Shepperd, Alicia Roehrich, Brianna Broz, Alex Fadell, Kade Frank, and Gavin Frank.

Interment was in the Olive Branch Cemetery in Mills, NE. Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Carol Dean Ritz was born June 11, 1940, in Ashton, NE, to Clarence and Alma (Knoepfel) Ritz. She had two older brothers, Clarence and Richard, and a younger sister, Ellen. Carol attended elementary school and high school in Ashton, NE, graduating in 1958.

She attended Kearney State Teachers College where she met Larry, who was a member of the track and basketball teams.

Carol and Larry were married on December 19, 1959, in St. Paul, NE. They then made their home at the Shepperd Ranch in Mills, NE, where she enjoyed working outside every day for the last 62 years - feeding animals, planting her garden, and tending to her many flowers.

Carol originally taught school at District 3 in Mills, NE. Her love of children was evident when she was with her grandchildren and greatgrandchildren, as she always taught them to appreciate the wonders of life such as bird nests, caterpillars changing into butterflies, and new plants coming up in the spring.

She was a mother to Jaci, Doug, Sara, and Elizabeth. She taught her kids to love and care for all things, whether it was plants, animals, or all of God’s living creatures. All of her kids were told many times “If a job is worth doing, then do it well.”

Carol was known by many people for her love of others which was often shown through her cooking. She always liked to have something prepared just in case visitors, stopped by (including hungry kids or grandkids). She is especially remembered for her baked goods and dill pickles.

She passed away on March 6, 2022, in Sioux City, IA. Larry and Carol celebrated 62 years of marriage last December.

Carol is survived by her husband, Larry, of Mills, NE; children: Jaci (Tom) Carlisle of Omaha, NE, Doug (Kim) Shepperd of Mills, NE, Sara (John) Frederick of Mills, NE, and Elizabeth (Kory) Frank of Elk Point, SD; brother, Richard (Marge) Ritz of Ashton, NE; and sister, Ellen (Richard) Erganian of Fresno, CA; 11 grandchildren: Zac (Theresa) Carlisle of Omaha, NE, Alex (Matt) Fadell of Omaha, NE, Nick (Crystal) Frederick of Lincoln, NE, Anthony (Melissa) Frederick of Hickman, NE, Alicia (Dan) Roehrich of Iwakuni, Japan, Gentry Frederick of Bassett, NE, Douglas (Casey) Shepperd of Lawrence, KS, Brianna (Lane) Broz of Hayes Center, NE, Garrett (Whitney) Shepperd of Mills, NE, Kade Frank and Gavin Frank of Elk Point, SD; as well as 22 great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephew, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her brother, Clarence, as well as her parents, Clarence and Alma Ritz.

Memorial money will be directed to the Grace Lutheran Church Sunday School program.