Shirley Craft

Shirley Lee (Keller) Craft sewed the final stitch onto her beautiful quilt of life February 18th 2023 in her Broomfield Colorado home surrounded in love. Shirley was born on December 20th 1933 to Augusta Alice (Kreher) Keller and Archie Henry Keller on their Family farm in Macon, Illinois. Shirley was the baby of the Family as she joined her eldest brother Neil Keller and sister Jean (Markel) Keller.

She grew up in Macon, Illinois and went on to graduate from St. Johns School of nursing in Springfield, IL. Shirley worked as a Nurse until her retirement as the Head of Nursing in cardiac care in Morris, IL.

Shirley married the love of her life Donald Eugene Craft in February 1955 in a wonderful sweetheart themed wedding shortly after Don's discharge from his service in the U.S. Airforce.

The lovebirds soon welcomed their three children to the world, Jeffrey Craft (Thornton, CO) Cathy (Carron) (Millstadt, IL) and Rick Craft (Thornton,CO)

After retirement, the dazzling duo explored the States in their RV before deciding to plant new roots and split time between Apache Junction, AZ. and Broomfield, CO. This allowed them to be closer to Family and also enjoy the warm weather and excitement of their bustling retirement community where Shirley enjoyed her quilting club and afternoon bridge with the ladies. During this time, they jet set and stamped their passports wherever they desired, traveling was one of her favorite pastimes.

Shirley was an excellent seamstress and extremely creative, she was known to make the most fashionable Barbie and doll clothes around. She also spent countless hours creating incredibly ornate quilts, they were her pride and joy. She created an immaculate nursery for her very 1st great grandson and unique specialty blankets for all of the babies in her life. Shirley loved to spend time with friends, especially her older Sister Jean, who she lovingly referred to as her very best friend until the very end. Those were just a few of her many talents as she spent many hours in her kitchen creating delicious cookies and confections. Her strawberry-rhubarb and cherry pies were always fan favorites, but her iconic perky potato casserole put a giant smile on everyone's face, which is exactly what she loved to do. She adored her 3 children, 9 Grandchildren, 13 Great-Grandchildren and was known to happily do puzzles and read with them on the family room floor for hours on end. She had an extra special love for the little ones!

Shirley had the sweetest brown eyes that melted into your soul and the ability to make anyone feel like the most loved person in the room. We will all miss that very special look and the warm feeling she created in our hearts. It was unconditional love, and she knew how to spread that to others in the most incredible way.

Shirley was preceded in death by her one true love and husband, Donald Craft of 67 years, only 130 days prior. Her parents, Archie and Augusta Keller. Brother, Neil Keller and grandson Nicholas Craft.

Her love will go on within our hearts and memories until we meet again.