Edith Mae (Shelbourn) McCormick, was born March 9 ^th 1926 in Valentine, Nebraska and passed away October 19 ^th 2021 at Community Pride Care Center in Battle Creek, NE.  Edith was the fourth of five children born to Walter and Mable (Pont) Shelbourn.  Edith attended Kewanee grade school near her home and graduated from Valentine High School in 1943.  For 3 years after that, she did secretarial work for various individuals and businesses around town.  After World War II was over and soldiers returned, she met and later married Howard McCormick, on April 6, 1947.  Prior to that, although living only 12 miles apart, did not really know each other!  They moved to the McCormick ranch northeast of Sparks, where they resided until Howard's failing health in 2002 necessitated them moving to Valentine.  Electricity did not come to rural Keya Paha county until the early 1950's, so you cooked on a wood burning stove, carried in water from an outside pumpjack to heat on the stove so you could wash cloths and bathe.  They were fortunate to have a wind charger which did provide some electricity when the wind blew but otherwise kerosene lanterns were used to light the house after dark. They both loved dancing and while "courting", and even after marriage, would attend dances at Hidden Paradise in Long Pine on Friday night and then the Cosmo Club in Valentine on Saturday. Edith was a great cook and loved to raise a garden. Of course, along with that went picking off potato bugs, tomato worms, and carrying in water and cow manure.  In the fall, canning occupied much of her day as produce from the garden ripened.  She raised cherry, apple and mulberry trees, wild plum, chokecherry, sand cherry, and raspberry bushes, rhubarb and pumpkins; not to mention store bought lemons, bananas, and pecans all from which she'd used to make bread, pie, jelly, and jam. In the past few years she passed her recipes on to her grandkids. Edith always got a couple hundred chickens in the spring which provided meat and eggs; so along with their own beef and pork didn't require them to go to town very often.

Two sons were born to the marriage.  Chester James in 1948 and Walter Craig in 1958.  The boys both attended High School in Springview, some 30 miles away, and boarded during the week.  Howard and Edith rarely missed ANY activity the boys were in, and since there were no busses back then, parents loaded their cars with 4 or 5 kids and transported them to activities--- mostly over dirt roads.  Throughout the 1950's and 1960's they continued to dance with friends and neighbors in a dance club called,"Revelers," at places like  "the Red Barn", "Derby Bar" and the fair grounds.  Howard and Edith continued to ranch until the mid -1990's and then in 2002 sold the ranch and moved to Valentine.  By then they had grandchildren in grade and high school and rarely missed their activities.  She was an accomplished golfer and she and Howard played in many tournaments, leagues, and fun nights.  Sewing was a passion, whether it be mending the knees of the boys overalls or crocheting doilies.  Edith continued to cook treats for bus trips and for visits from the grandkids and their friends, who would stop in after the games. Howards' health slowly declined and he passed away on April 7, 2008.  Edith continued to reside in the apartment they bought in 2002, remaining active in church functions including choir, session, deacon, and the pastoral nominating committee.  She loved playing cards and belonged to several bridge clubs and always enjoyed playing "pitch" with the grandkids when they would visit.  She was a member of the Presbyterian Church, VFW Axillary, Sandhills Area Foundation, and Shadley Sals Extension Club.

Edith was preceded in death by her parents; husband Howard in 2008; brother Earl; sisters Ruth Ahlf, Imogene Brandt, Jean Todd, and granddaughter Megan McCormick Wilcox in 2006. She is survived by son Dr. Chet McCormick (Pam), of Valentine, and their children Dr. Erin Wolf (Jim) and children Presley, Gavin, Rowan and Calla of Norfolk, NE; Emily Eisenberg (Marc) and son Max of Seattle Washington;  Kacie Dredla(Trevor) and daughters Aislynn and Maesyn of Battle Creek, NE, and Taylor McCormick(Tera) and children Mya, Owen, and Ava of O'neill, NE;  and by son Dr. Craig McCormick (Cindy) of Holdrege, NE and his daughter Brittney(Matt) Benzing and their children Halie and Lauren of Valentine., stepdaughter Faithe(Ryan) Kroll and their children Emma and Jax, Holdrege, and Olivia(Brandon) Frerichs and children Javan and Viola, Kearney.

A private family service will be held at a later date.