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Shirley Jean Schneider, age 86, of West Valley City, Utah, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on May 27, 2025. Shirley was born in Lincoln, Nebraska, to Henrietta (Foltz) and Fred Koch on November 2, 1938. She graduated from Lincoln High School in 1956 and earned a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Nebraska in 1960.
Shirley moved to Denver, Colorado with friends who introduced her to her future husband, Floyd Schneider in 1962. They married on April 6, 1963 and Floyd, being an independent and adventurous person and Shirley, a devoted wife, moved to Pinedale, Wyoming where he continued his masonry career and Shirley started working at First National Bank of Pinedale. Shirley became a loving and full-time mother to her five children and later worked as a substitute teacher and swimming coach in the Pinedale school system.
Shirley and Floyd moved to Flagstaff, Arizona in 1984 and in 1988, moved to Grand Junction, Colorado where Shirley worked various jobs and then Grand Medical Supply until she retired at age 77. Following Floyd's passing in 2015, she relocated to West Valley City, Utah in 2017 to be nearer to her family and to provide a convenient meeting location for family gatherings.
Shirley had close relationships with friends and family during her life, all of whom meant so much to her. Shirley valued simplicity and led an uncomplicated life. She loved to go on Caribbean cruises with family, enjoying the islands, ocean and sun. One of her greatest joys was getting a passport so she could travel to the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Belize and enjoy her son Eric’s condo on Ambergris Caye.
Shirley is survived by her children Tracy (Doug Morstad), Dana (Kip Merritt), Eric, Rory and Kurt (Kim), and her cherished grandchildren, Aiden, Avery, Marley, Dylan, Jace, Denver and Ashton. She is also survived by her brother, Robert Koch of Indianapolis, Indiana and numerous nieces and nephews.
Shirley is preceded in death by her parents and husband, Floyd Schneider.
A private service will take place at a later date. Donations to the American Cancer Society in Shirley’s name would be appreciated by the family. For more information, please visit www.larkinmortuary.com
Guestbook/Condolences
We want to let you know we are praying for your peace and comfort. Both of your parents were special to us from the time we got to know them at Prince of Peace. Your Mom and I were in choir together, even back at Messiah. Your Dad had taken a special interest in our son-basketball, guns, trombone....They were both very special people. We were happy when your Mom got to move closer to some of you. We still enjoyed her newsy Christmas letter every year and sent her ours, as well, so she could keep up with our
"children" and grandkids. We still felt close, even though she was far away. We look forward to seeing her and your Dad when we eventually reconnect in Heaven. In the meantime, our prayers are with you.
In love,
Don, Jan, Andy and Nikki