Shirley Jannet Richards

Shirley Jannet Richards

January 1, 1938 - April 23, 2026

Shirley Jannet Richards (88) of Grand Island, NE died Thursday, April 23, 2026 at Emerald on the Lake Nursing Home in Grand Island, NE.

Services will be 2:00pm on Friday May 15, 2026, at Apfel Funeral Home with Brandon Bachle officiating. Burial will be at the Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery, Grand Island, NE. Visitation hours will be 5:00pm-7:00pm on Thursday, May 14, 2026, at Apfel Funeral Home in Grand Island, NE. Memorials are suggested to the family for later designation. Apfel Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Shirley Jannet Richards was born January 1, 1938 in Grand Island, NE the daughter of Charles & Mildred Auhl. She grew up in Grand Island, NE graduating from Grand Island Senior High School with the class of 1956. After graduation she went on to work in the reception office at the Senior High School, later-on moving to work for Skagway.

She was united in marriage to Jack S. Richards, August 2, 1959 at Trinity United Methodist Church, Grand Island, NE. Shirley spent many years working for Grand Island Daily Independent retiring in 1990.

She was a member of First Faith United Methodist Church, and Saddle Club located in Grand Island, NE.

She enjoyed reading, creating stained glass, quilting, sewing, and was an avid painter.

Those left to cherish her memory include her three sons & daughter-in-law, Brian K. Richards of Denver, CO, Gregory S. & Darla Richards and Dwight Richards both of Grand Island, NE. Her grandchildren and their spouses, Correy & Santana Richards of Denver, CO, Casey (Richards) & David Schwenk of Van Alstyne, TX, Cami (Richards) & Paul Saporite of Fort Mill, SC, Abigail Richards of Grand Island, NE, Adam Salas of York, SC, Andrew Salas of Denver, CO, and Chad & Brittlee Bushhousen of Grand Island, NE.

Also left to cherish her memory are her 17 great-grandchildren and a great-great-granddaughter arriving soon.

She was preceded in death by her late husband Jack S. Richards and her parents.