Obituary of Shirley J Papachek

Shirley J Papachek, 84 of Greeley Colorado passed away with her daughter and son in law by her side on August 12, 2023.

Shirley was born on February 22, 1939, to George and Mollie Klein in Loveland Colorado. After Shirley graduated from Platteville High School in 1957 she went on to Parks Business School. She then began working at Public Service Company of Colorado until 1960, where she then worked at AEC in Albuquerque, New Mexico. While in New Mexico Shirley married Larry Papachek in 1963 and embraced being a military wife living in Virginia Beach Virginia, England, Albuquerque New Mexico, San Diego California, Platteville Colorado, Lasalle Colorado, and last resided in Greeley Colorado. Shirley and Larry went on to have two children Kevin (Papachek), and Keshia (Schmidt).

 In her spare time Shirley enjoyed dancing, cooking, and gardening. It was also a very rare scene if she was not attending one of her grandchildren’s school activities or sporting events and all their friends knew her as “Grandma”. She also loved her hometown sports teams including the Nuggets, Broncos, Avalanche and Rockies.

Shirley was preceded in death by her husband Larry Papachek, her parents George and Mollie Klein. She is survived by her brother William (Bill) Klein, his spouse April and their children Scott,Stacy, and Jeremy. Her children Kevin (Papachek) and Keshia (Schmidt), their spouses Tina (Papachek) and Paul (Schmidt). Her grandchildren Kellie (Seward), her husband Kelly, Presley (Papachek), his wife Becca, Harley (Schmidt), and Devin (Schmidt). Her great grandchildren Stevie, Boone, Knox, River, Rowdy, and Lennon.

Services will be held at Adamson Life Celebration Home. The viewing will be held Monday August 21st from 5-7 PM. A Celebration of Life will be held Tuesday August 22nd at 12:30 PM.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to Cystic Fibrosis Foundation / St. Jude’s.