The Central City Republican-Nonpareil | January 1, 2026

Shirley Forbis, 82, of Central City, Nebraska passed away peacefully at her home on Christmas Day, December 25, 2025 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Funeral services were held on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, at 10 a.m. at Solt-Wagner Funeral Home in Central City. Burial was at the Central City Cemetery following the funeral service. Memorials are suggested to the family to be designated at a later date. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.soltwagnerfuneral. com.

Shirley was born on May 1, 1943 in Central City to Max Jr. and Maxine (Chandler) Shelton. She grew up north of Central City and attended country schools until the 3rd grade when her family moved into town.

She graduated from Central City High School and also attended Hastings College. Shirley married Mac Forbis in 1960. To this union Peggy, David and Wendee were born. Her family was the most important part of her life.

Shirley had a knack for being able to do just about anything. When her kids were young, she spent late nights making costumes and decorating cakes and cupcakes for the kid’s special occasions.

She loved baking, but was not as fond of cooking, probably because Mac was such a picky eater and usually wanted things well done. Sometimes she would get distracted waiting and walk away, and when she returned it was well done just like he liked it. Those skills were passed on to her daughters.

Shirley’s kids and grandkids were her pride and joy. She was always very patient and a very hard worker putting everyone before herself.

Shirley was a doer and the glue to her family. Years ago, she spent time with her mom learning to crochet, resulting in many baby blankets. She enjoyed the family times camping, bike riding, ice skating, roller skating, archery, bowfishing, and bowhunting, and of course the camping trips to Halsey in the little purple jeep. Summers ending always made her sad because the kids had to go back to school and she hated to see them go.

She was an avid archer. Mac’s love for the sport of archery opened the door to Shirley’s love of the sport, which gained her many Archery State Championships in the sport of bow hunting and bow fishing. She spent many years bow hunting deer, antelope, turkey, and other small game. Bow hunting and bow fishing were an enjoyment for Shirley with her kids and grandkids, teaching them the sport. After Shirley and Mac retired, they spent their summers in Yankton, SD as camp host at an RV park and bow fishing on the Missouri River. Spending countless hours on that wicked river, they were very well known to fellow bow fishermen and women. Shirley loved bow fishing alongside Mac and often shot the bigger fish. This was also the case when it came to deer and turkey… Shirley definitely “out shot” many of the men. Shirley was a member of the Nebraska Bowhunter Association, where she helped Mac as historian and also helped with raffles for the association. She was also a bowhunter education instructor.

Shirley will be deeply missed by her husband Mac of sixty-five years, daughters Peggy (Craig) Clausen; Wendee (Rick) Butt and her 8 grandkids Christopher, Cathleen, Travis, Danica, Daniel, Tyler Myles and Halee; 25 great grandkids, with 2 on the way and 1 great great grandbaby due in April. She also leaves behind her brother-in-law Dean Hanke of Columbus and nieces Cathy Tierney, Angie Ostdiek and Timm Hanke. Shirley also left behind her little dog Molly. Shirley is preceded in death by her son David Forbis, her parents Max Jr. and Maxine Shelton, parents- in-law Henry and Frances Forbis; sister Cheryl Hanke; brother Max Shelton III.