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Shirley M. Brandert took her first breath into heaven peacefully at her home on Friday, October 2nd, 2026, after a courageous journey with cancer.
Shirley was born September 19, 1945, in Batavia, Iowa to Gerald and Freida (Pratt) Hocking. Shirley was named after her mother’s youngest sister, Shirley. Family often referred to the two Shirleys as “Big Shug” and “Little Shug” (“Shug” being short for “sugar”).
Shirley grew up in Hooper, Nebraska and graduated from Hooper High School in 1963. After graduation, she studied at the Omaha School of Commerce, earning her certification in stenography, and began working in the office at Hormel Foods in Fremont.
Shirley met the love of her life, David Brandert, when the two were freshmen at Hooper High School. Shirley and David were married on October 9, 1964, at Grace Lutheran Church in Hooper, NE and resided in Valley, NE where David operated his own barbershop. Shirley and David eventually moved to Fremont. Shirley and David have been faithful members of Trinity Lutheran Church in Fremont for 62 years.
After their daughter Amy was born, Shirley became a devoted stay at home mom to Amy, Shelly, and Corey. Shirley enthusiastically supported her children and their many activities. Shirley returned to the work force in 1980, working as a teacher’s aide. She loved being an aide at Brugh School District 37, a small county school in rural Fremont. When Brugh School closed she worked for Fremont Public Schools as a bus aide, retiring in 2014.
Shirley enjoyed crocheting and crocheted many beautiful afghans and throws over the years which she proudly gave to family and friends. She loved to read and do crossword puzzles and often checked out several books at once from the library. Shirley looked forward to going to her kids’ and grandkids’ sporting and school events as well as the many concerts and shows that Amy performed in. Shirley and David were long-time members of the Cushman Scooter club. They enjoyed riding their scooters and would often go to National Cushman meets.
Left to cherish her memory is her husband of 62 years, David Brandert, daughters Amy (Mike) Spies, and Shelly (Jim) Morton, son Corey Brandert, grandchildren Chandler (Taylor) Brandert, Megan, Sam, and Lucas Morton, Clayton, Charlie, and Cameron Brandert, great-granddaughter Andi Grace Brandert, brother Cecil Hocking, aunt Shirley Frink (“Big Shug”), brother in law Dennis Roewert, special family friend TeeRay Nolan, and her dearest friend, Jan Ankersen.
Shirley was preceded in death by her parents Gerald and Freida Hocking, brother Bill Hocking, parents-in-law Harold and Selma Brandert, sister-in-law Karen Brazda, and grandson Calvin Stephen Brandert.
A Celebration of Life for Shirley will be held at 10am, Saturday, October 10th, 2026, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Fremont. Burial will follow in Memorial Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour before the service at the church. Memorials are suggested to Trinity Lutheran Church. Ludvigsen Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.
Online guestbook at www.Ludvigsenmortuary.com
The service will be streamed through the church website:
https://trinityfremont.com/live/
Shirley was born September 19, 1945, in Batavia, Iowa to Gerald and Freida (Pratt) Hocking. Shirley was named after her mother’s youngest sister, Shirley. Family often referred to the two Shirleys as “Big Shug” and “Little Shug” (“Shug” being short for “sugar”).
Shirley grew up in Hooper, Nebraska and graduated from Hooper High School in 1963. After graduation, she studied at the Omaha School of Commerce, earning her certification in stenography, and began working in the office at Hormel Foods in Fremont.
Shirley met the love of her life, David Brandert, when the two were freshmen at Hooper High School. Shirley and David were married on October 9, 1964, at Grace Lutheran Church in Hooper, NE and resided in Valley, NE where David operated his own barbershop. Shirley and David eventually moved to Fremont. Shirley and David have been faithful members of Trinity Lutheran Church in Fremont for 62 years.
After their daughter Amy was born, Shirley became a devoted stay at home mom to Amy, Shelly, and Corey. Shirley enthusiastically supported her children and their many activities. Shirley returned to the work force in 1980, working as a teacher’s aide. She loved being an aide at Brugh School District 37, a small county school in rural Fremont. When Brugh School closed she worked for Fremont Public Schools as a bus aide, retiring in 2014.
Shirley enjoyed crocheting and crocheted many beautiful afghans and throws over the years which she proudly gave to family and friends. She loved to read and do crossword puzzles and often checked out several books at once from the library. Shirley looked forward to going to her kids’ and grandkids’ sporting and school events as well as the many concerts and shows that Amy performed in. Shirley and David were long-time members of the Cushman Scooter club. They enjoyed riding their scooters and would often go to National Cushman meets.
Left to cherish her memory is her husband of 62 years, David Brandert, daughters Amy (Mike) Spies, and Shelly (Jim) Morton, son Corey Brandert, grandchildren Chandler (Taylor) Brandert, Megan, Sam, and Lucas Morton, Clayton, Charlie, and Cameron Brandert, great-granddaughter Andi Grace Brandert, brother Cecil Hocking, aunt Shirley Frink (“Big Shug”), brother in law Dennis Roewert, special family friend TeeRay Nolan, and her dearest friend, Jan Ankersen.
Shirley was preceded in death by her parents Gerald and Freida Hocking, brother Bill Hocking, parents-in-law Harold and Selma Brandert, sister-in-law Karen Brazda, and grandson Calvin Stephen Brandert.
A Celebration of Life for Shirley will be held at 10am, Saturday, October 10th, 2026, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Fremont. Burial will follow in Memorial Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour before the service at the church. Memorials are suggested to Trinity Lutheran Church. Ludvigsen Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.
Online guestbook at www.Ludvigsenmortuary.com
The service will be streamed through the church website:
https://trinityfremont.com/live/