Died May 19, 2025 at Dunklau Gardens in Fremont.
Shirley Wood Kocher was born on September 28, 1931 at a mission hospital in Rentichintala, India and died on May 19, 2025 in Fremont, Nebraska. She graduated from high school at Kodaikanal School in southern India and attended Midland College in Fremont where she met her future husband, Robert. At Midland she was active on the debate team and traveled by car to midwestern states to compete in tournaments. After graduating from Midland, she married Rev. Robert Kocher, and together they served as missionaries in Malaya (now Malaysia) over the span of 14 years, beginning with two years of language school to speak Hakka, a Chinese dialect. Shirley and Bob returned to the United States where Bob served as pastor in Bertrand and Emerson, Nebraska. They retired to a 6-acre plot of land in Nickerson.
As a daughter of Lutheran missionaries, Shirley was the product of a world that lived and breathed service to others. She began a lifelong career of teaching English to a group of rubber tappers in Malaya and continued in the United States, teaching a re-settled Hmong family, immigrants from Vietnam, Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador and other parts of the world. She taught them English and more importantly, she taught them that they belonged in this country. She found other ways to serve God by serving others: in college she worked for the Lutheran Service Corps, she sewed quilts for Lutheran World Relief at Salem Lutheran Church in Fontanelle, taught piano lessons at a UNICEF rehabilitation center in Malaysia, started meals-on-wheels in Bertrand, wrote thoughtful letters and later emails to missionary friends, former students, congregation members and family. The people in her life mattered to her, and she let them know it.
She was preceded in death by her son Ted, her sister Betty Lou Nelson, and her brother-in-law Rev. John Nelson.
She is survived by her loving husband Robert, her children Michael (Jodi), Eric (Vickie), Bruce (Suzy), Jeanne (Machel Perry), and Carrie Flynn (Scott); her grandchildren Philip (Elizabeth), Erin, Ted, and Sarah Kocher; Jordan and Alison Kocher; Eric (Amanda) and Katie Kocher; Jordon (Hailey), Jacob (Madison), and Jalen Flynn. She is also survived by 5 great grandchildren, her sister Patricia Remias (John), adopted sister Molly Lesnick (Alan), many nieces and nephews and many students.
The family of Shirley Kocher request that memorials be made to Lutheran World Relief (https://give.lwr.org/page/123179/donate/1).
The celebration of Shirley's life will be 11am, June 2, 2025 at Salem Lutheran Church in Fontanelle. Online guestbook at www.Ludvigsenmortuary.com
Condolences(4)
Kathy (Carlson) Griess
Mesa, AZ Tuesday, May 27, 2025 Pastor Bob and Family - I was so saddened to hear of Shirley's passing. So many wonderful memories of when your family moved to Bertrand and you became pastor at Adullam/Immanual. Shirley was always so gracious and giving. Her smile lit up every room she was in. Thinking of all of you at this difficult time. RIP Shirley. Heaven has gained a very special angel.Peggy & Chuck Seaman
Fremont, NE Saturday, May 24, 2025 So sorry for your loss Jeanne.Eileen & Bob Thornburg
Fremont, NE Thursday, May 22, 2025 Rev Bob, Jeanne & family,What a faithful Christian servant who devoted her life to helping & teaching others throughout the world! Shirley always had a smile on her face and loved her family.
Our sincerest sympathy at this time of loss. And Shirley’s light will shine through your family.
Eileen & Bob Thornburg
Mark and Caryl Grorud
Wilton, CT Wednesday, May 21, 2025 Our deepest sympathy to you Bob, Jeanne, and all the family. Shirley was an amazing lady of faith and love. We are thinking of you all.