Carol Jo Tyerman

CAROL JO TYERMAN

Carol Jo (Shrum) Tyerman was born in rural Dundy County. Carol’s father William (Bill) Shrum called her his “two-mule baby,” because the doctor didn’t get to the farm in time for the birth, but the doctor had to be paid, and he was paid in mules. Carol’s mother, Gladys (Schulke) Shrum, with the help of her mother-in-law, Teresa Shrum, brought baby Carol into the world on September 24, 1931. Carol spent her childhood on her parents’ farm, and attended high school in Benkelman, boarding in town with relatives.
After graduation, Carol worked as a telephone operator in Benkelman, then moved to California and worked as an operator there. She returned to Chase County and married William “Pace” Tyerman, January 21, 1953, in McCook, NE. Carol enjoyed telling the story of their honeymoon to Omaha for the Golden Gloves boxing tournament (“Pace’s idea,” she would say with a wink), accompanied by good friends, June and Wilfred O’Neil. Unexpectedly, June went into labor early and Tommy, their first child, was born on the Tyermans’ honeymoon. Carol worked in the Vet’s Club and at Adams Drug store for a few years. After 1965, Pace and Carol worked the farm together until the time of Pace’s death.
Pace and Carol lived for 30 years in Imperial where they had an active social life, often went dancing, and spent much time through the years with their close friends, June and Wilfred O’Neil, Paul and Shirley Taylor and Libby and Fritz Beirhaus. Carol enjoyed playing bridge and was a member of a bridge club in Imperial for many years. In 1982, Pace and Carol moved to the farm near Champion. In later years, Carol and Pace spent many good times with the Smiths, Stutes and Mitchells. Carol loved to decorate her house and prepare the turkey dinner for their annual Christmas get together.
After Pace’s death in 2007, Carol continued to live on the farm until fall of 2013 when she moved back to Imperial.
Carol’s hobbies included collecting antiques and costume jewelry, refinishing furniture, interpreting her friends and families’ astrological charts, bargain hunting, going to garage sales, and decorating her house beautifully, which she continued to do until the final weeks of her life. In recent years Carol had a wonderful time working with ‘the girls’ and Vincent at the Junkers. She took many road trips with her daughter, Shelly, and her family “slinging” Dippin’ Dots. Carol loved a good story, both telling it and being told. There was always a lot of laughter at Carol’s house. And, she loved a parade! For decades, Carol enthusiastically joined in the fun and came up with great float ideas and would do whatever it took—one time suiting up as a Dippin’ Dot cow--udder and all.
Carol was an avid reader all of her life and appreciated the library staff who knew her taste in books very well, gladly servicing any special request. For five decades, almost every weekday, Carol and dearest friend, Shirley, had coffee together. They loved spending time sorting and talking about their collections of jewelry among other things. Carol also treasured spending time with her other dear friend, Libby Bierhaus. Many a late night, when Fritz was working nightshift at the Imperial airport, Libby and Carol would drive out on the country roads to look at the stars and study the constellations. Libby was sorely missed when she moved away in the 70s, yet, distance did not diminish their closeness. Friendship was very important to Carol and many of her friends are no longer with us. Some of her oldest and dearest friends who have now passed include June O’Neil, Shirley Taylor and Maxine Sweeney.
Carol’s greatest joy was her family. She was devoted to her parents and her sisters and enjoyed living close to them and their families all her life. From helping her sister Jean stain all the wood work in her new home to helping her sister Jackie string sale bills in southwest Nebraska, Carol loved spending time with them--and was always ready to jump in the car and go shopping with her sisters (or anyone else!). Carol also loved spending time with her nieces and nephews. When oldest niece, Cathy David, (the first Shrum grandchild) was born, she captured Carol’s heart and they developed a special bond that Carol held dear to the end. Carol also had a special place in her heart for her “adopted” kids and grandkids, as she liked to call them: Betty Jo, Cheryl, Roshni, Savith and Anne.
Carol was, above all, a devoted mother to her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and loved nothing better than gathering her family together and spending time with the ones she loved--laughing, telling stories, eating delicious home cooked meals and even comforting any family member who needed advice, moral support and an extra hug.
Carol was preceded in death by her parents, William and Gladys Shrum, infant brother William (Little Bill), husband William “Pace” Tyerman, brother-in-law Gene Tyerman, sisters-in-law Alice Tyerman and Margaret Tyerman, and special friend Calleen Brewer.
Survivors include Tim (Stephanie) Tyerman of Champion and daughter, Shelly (Jack) Geiser of Bellevue, NE; grandchildren, Amanda (Casey) Tyerman Harper, Luke (Allison)Tyerman, , Elizabeth (Marten) Clark Wessel and Haley Clark Larson; great grandchildren Mikayla, Mason, Conner, Hunter, Ian, Hudson, Greyson, Theodore, Liam and Grace; sisters Jean (Carl) Lutz and Jacqueline Martin; former daughter-in-law Lana Tyerman and former son-in-law Geoff Clark, former brother-in-law, Earnest Jr. “Gunner” Martin, and a host of dear cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
Carol passed from this life on June 21, 2016, at the age of 84. Her granddaughter, Elizabeth, wrote: “One of the very dearest people I know left this world last night. I will never have another friend like her. Love you forever, Carol Jo, beloved grandmother, amateur astrologer, collector of beautiful bric a brac, comedienne, old soul, and oddball extraordinaire. Only a full moon on the summer solstice could be bright enough to carry you to the next plane.
A celebration of Carol’s life will be held on Saturday, September 10, at the Champion Community Center at 11 a.m., Pastor Dave Davidson will officiate the service. Kelly Hayward and John Flood will provide the music. Lunch will follow the service provided by the Champion Women’s Club.
Carol’s ten great grandchildren will serve as her pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers are Don Welch, Vincent Marvin, Stanley R. Smith, Earnest Jr. (Gunner) Martin and Carl Lutz.
Memorials can be given to the Imperial Lied Public Library. Expressions of sympathy can be sent to the family at tyermanmemorial@gmail.com or Box 21, Champion, NE 69023.
Liewer Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements.