90 of Lexington, passed away on Monday, June 11, 2023, at the Cozad Community Hospital in Cozad. Muriel was born on Dec. 20, 1932, in Rural Callaway, welcomed by her parents Ralph and Opal Anderson and two older brothers, Donald Gale and Dwight Ashley. In the following years, two siblings, Carolyn Colleen (Lichtenwalter) and Alan Andy joined the family. Her early years were in Roten Valley. She went through 8th grade in District 119 and graduated from Cozad High School in 1949.

She started her teaching career in rural Custer and Dawson counties. On May 2, 1952, she married Richard Doyle Shea of Oconto. They spent two years in Ft. Riley, Kansas and then moved north of Cozad where they farmed for a decade. They had three children: Susan Elizabeth (Burch), Judy Ann, and Frances Doyle. In 1964, she returned to teaching in rural Lexington and joined Pershing Elementary School in 1970. She retired in 1995.

The central joys of her life were family and teaching. Outside of those roles she was a notorious quilter and frequent traveler throughout the United States and abroad. Locally, she was active in the Methodist church and enjoyed her many groups: quilting, book clubs, scrabble, the Pepto Bismol Kids 4-H club, and PEO, and she could often be spotted at water aerobics. Many, many family members, students and friends were lucky enough to enjoy her baked goods, especially her bread.

She is preceded in death by her husband, parents, and two older brothers. She is survived by her three children, Susan Burch, Judy Ann (John Norcini) Shea, and F. Doyle (Georgiann) Shea; four grandchildren, Brandy and her husband Todd Fogarty, Brent Burch, Shea Norcini, and Michael Norcini; and three great-grandchildren, Delaney, Brogan, and McKeon Fogarty.

Funeral services were held Friday, June 16, at the First United Methodist Church in Lexington with Pastor Velma Tim officiating.

Graveside services were Friday, June 16, at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Oconto. Memorials are kindly suggested to the Lexington Public Library or Donor’s Choice.

Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is honored to be assisting the family with arrangements. Please share online condolences with the family by visiting: reynoldslovefuneralhome. com