Shirley Ann Henle
Help us celebrate Shirley! Please share your stories and photos, and invite others who remember Shirley.
Shirley Ann Berg (Lofthouse) Henle passed away in her home on January 25, 2021. She was 88. Whether you knew her for a moment or a lifetime, you have felt the love and compassion of Shirley. She was the matriarch of Smoky Valley and will be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing her.
Shirley was a second generation Smoky Valley native and grew up on the Berg ranch as the youngest of five children. She was married to John Lofthouse and had five daughters, fondly known as 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5: Dianne (Bruce) Clouser, Carol (Jim) Shilling, Tinker (Jack) Evans, Getta (Steve) Workman and Johnnie (Travis) Jensen. She had many grandchildren, great and great-great grandchildren, countless nieces and nephews and more friends than imaginable - all of whom were such a big part of the life that she loved.
She truly made the simple things the most important. Sitting in her kitchen with the smell of coffee, homemade bread and cinnamon rolls in the air might be the best memory you have. Others might have just spent time in her front yard having a cold beer or iced tea while spending an afternoon in great stories and conversation. Her yearly family parties held since 1995 have connected generations of family members and many 'adopted' family members. She never knew a stranger and her door was always open to everyone.
Shirley married Rudy Henle at the Belmont church in 2001. Although they eloped (without her daughters' knowledge!), it was a perfect match and brought much happiness and more children and grandchildren to all of our lives. The love they had for each other is a beautiful example to all of us.
One of the things that brought great joy to Shirley was the relocation of her family home that was built by her father. The home was recently moved from 'old' Round Mountain to become a part of the Sunnyside Museum in Smoky Valley where it will be fully restored. It was huge undertaking requiring much effort but was something she was very happy to see completed. There are videos of her playing piano on the museum Facebook page so we can all hear her beautiful music echoing through the old schoolhouse museum.
Rudy has asked for memorial donations to go to the schoolhouse Sunnyside Museum, 53241 Hwy 376, Round Mountain, Nevada 89045.
There will never be a time that we hear a piano, the shuffle of a deck of cards or laughter that we won't think of our Shirley. She brought so much joy to so many and we can all take a page from her book - she saw the good in all. Let us all keep her legacy moving along like a beautiful Smoky Valley breeze.
At Shirley's request, we will 'have a party' to share our stories and memories Save the date. You can always check on Tinker Evans' Facebook page.