Shirley Younger

Shirley Ann Younger, 73, of Fort Collins passed away on Saturday, November 20, 2021.

Shirley was born in Hays, Kansas in 1948 to Esther Hautum (m. Bengston) and was the oldest of 9 children. A 6th generation of Colorado, she grew up in Wellington and was raised by her grandparents, George and Otillie Hautum. She graduated in 1966 from Poudre High School and continued learning as a nursing student at Poudre Valley Hospital. She was a Navy wife to Robert Beers for several years, during which the family moved around the East Coast before they re-settled in Fort Collins.

Shirley was the most loving Mom to her two sons, Dean and Philip; and she was the most loving mother-in-law, grandma (GG Shirley) and family matriarch to all of us. She also worked for Larimer County Human Services, retiring in 2014 after many years of dedicated service. Helping others made sense to Shirley – she was kind and selfless always. In Shirley's presence, people couldn't help but be joyful. She just enjoyed everything – always fun and forever loving.

Shirley is survived by her two sons, Dean Beers (wife Karen, Greeley) and Philip Beers (husband Sean Kline, New Orleans LA); grandchildren, Jeberly Hill (Cameron Blair), and Winter Hill; and great-grandchildren, Jacee Sobesky, Lincoln Blair, Gage Devore, and Cash Devore; as well as siblings, Rick Bengston, Rachel Church, Jeanette Smith and Betty Bengston. She is also survived by her 'best friend – pal' Richard Perry; and the Rivera family of Fort Collins, a side of the family with whom she recently connected and was getting to know; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. Shirley was preceded in death by her grandparents and mom, and siblings Sharon Younger, Jim Younger, Dorothy Bengston, and Mary Powers. We cannot forget another special friend, Janet Pike (England) – they were pen pals since age ten, over 63 years and met a few times, "Her loss has ended a very good time friendship. May the lovely Shirley rest in peace and may you enjoy sharing good times and memories of her."

She never forgot an important date or time and always let those people know she remembered them. We all loved her so much and always wanted her with us. We wanted her closer, she was very independent and always busy doing something.

She loved everyone so much, and it was so easy to love her. She had little quirks – Shirleyisms – she joked with us about. She would talk and talk, then say "Any how…" and go back to what she started talking – and probably forgot – about. Everyone who knew her will recognize her asking, "Would you like a beer?" in a way only she could – and is somewhat a tradition for all of us. No words can really describe her. If you think of a positive word – its her. Many have always said – Most Loving, Caring, Accepting, Joyful, Sweetest Person, Kind, Fun, Easy going, Loved to Laugh, Humble, Generous, Trusting, Loyal, Always Happy and considerate of others, a True Friend, Family First. And what everyone has always said, Truly Amazing and Selfless. We All Love You! You are incredible and awesome.

A visitation will take place from 4:00-6:00 pm, Thursday 12/02/2021 at Goes Funeral Care in Fort Collins; the family will have services at a later date. A stone honoring Shirley will be placed at Roselawn Cemetery, next to her grandparents. In lieu of flowers, Shirley asked donations be made to a charity of your choice, and the family has chosen A Little Help of Fort Collins, a local senior-to-senior assistance program – www.alittlehelp.org/donate