Shirley K. Tripe

A Mass of Christian Burial for Shirley Tripe will be held on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Orleans, Nebraska, with Father Maurice Current as Celebrant. Interment will follow at Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Orleans.

Shirley Kay (Christensen) Tripe, 84 years of age, of Alma, passed away on Friday, July 11, 2025, at the Good Samaritan Society Colonial Villa in Alma. Shirley was born on May 25, 1941, on the family farm, south of Orleans, Nebraska, in Harlan County, the second of four children, to Wayne W. and Vera Irene (Shaver) Christensen. She received her primary education from a country school and then attended high school from Orleans Public School, graduating with the Class of 1959.  She pursued higher education from Kearney State College for one year and then attained Accredited Records Technician certification.

On June 25, 1960, Shirley was united in marriage to Donald Tripe at St. Mary's Catholic Church.  This union was blessed with two children: Jodi and Brad. Shirley worked in Medical Records at the Harlan County Hospital for over 30 years.

Shirley enjoyed golfing, bowling, traveling, and spending time in Arizona, during the winters.  She loved to spend time with her grandchildren and later her great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Gary Christensen; a brother-in-law, Robert "Bob" Tripe and wife, Lana; brother-in-law, Kenneth Bantam; and two sons-in-law:  Stephen Meinecke; and Thomas Gaburo.

Shirely leaves to celebrate her life, her husband, Don Tripe of Alma; her children: Jodi Gaburo of Alma; and Brad Tripe and wife, Janna of Alma; three granddaughters:  Brianne Romeo and her husband, Justin of Oxford; Brook Siebels and husband, Troy of Oxford; and Stephanie Meinecke of Turlock, California; nine great-grandchildren: Rylan, Colson, Kimberli, Nicklin, Taryn, Sydney, Harper, Teagan, and Bailey; two sisters:  Larene Bantam of Kearney, Nebraska; and Margie Lange and her husband, Don of Ferndale, Washington; two sisters-in-law; Karon Christensen of Alma; and Mary Janice White and her husband, Lester of Orleans; along with many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with the family present.  A rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m. at the church.

A memorial has been established in Shirley's honor and kindly suggested to the family.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Bauer-Torrey & Mach Funeral Home in Alma is in charge of the arrangements.