She graduated high school in Springfield, then attended Washington University School of Nursing where she graduated as a registered nurse in 1953. In the year prior, she met her husband of 46 years, William (Bill) K. Bierer, Jr. They married in July of 1953, afterwhich Bill was stationed on aircraft carriers during his 22 years of service in the Navy. They began their family and upon Bill’s military retirement in 1964, they and their three children moved to Florissant, MO, where Shirley lived in the same house for over 50 years, before moving to Moore-Few Care Center in Nevada seven years ago. She and Bill shared their married lives together until Bill’s sudden passing in June 1999.
Shirley was preceded in death by her oldest son, William (Kent) K. Bierer, III, in January 2009, and her husband, William (Bill) K. Bierer, Jr. She leaves her two remaining children, Brent Bierer and Kathy (Bierer) Branstetter, as well as her “other” son, Steve Branstetter; also, her pride and joys – grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Kristina Branstetter, Steven Branstetter and his wife Jenna, parents of Olivia and Tessa, and Brenda (Bierer) and her husband Grant Barnes, parents of Rebecca and Conner.
Shirley maintained her nursing license for over 50 years. She practiced for several years and did some private nursing for many family members and friends, but mostly, she considered herself a homemaker. She loved her family, gardening, sewing, fashion, and all things antique.
Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, September 22, 2023, at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada. Private committal will be held at a later date in the National Cemetery in Springfield, MO. She will rest alongside her husband and in the same cemetery as her son, parents, and husband’s parents.
Shirley will be remembered and missed by all of us that knew her – family, friends and the kind staff at Moore-Few Care Center that lovingly cared for her over the last few years.
