Shirley B. Stem

Shirley Mae (Budil) Stem born July 16 th, 1923,103 years old from Cicero, Illinois passed away peacefully at Life Care Center of Casper, Wyoming on September 26 th, 2026 with her grandson Luke and family by her side. She met the love of her life Robert at the Aragon Ballroomat a dance. After his service with the navy she married Bob on March 13, 1948 at a Baptist Church in Cicero, IL. They resided there for 4 years in an apartment with their friends the DelSarto’s with whom she learned to cook delicious Italian food. They then moved to Broadview where they bought their first house in 1952 and lived there until 1957. Mom and Dad then moved to a bigger house in Glenview, IL later that same year approximately 2 miles from the shore of Lake Michigan where they resided until their retirement in April of 1985 to Bradenton, Florida. In June of 2023 Mom and myself flew together from Tampa, FL to Casper, WY. as we did several summers before and celebrated her 100th birthday in July. She resided at Life Care after her falling accident until her passing.

Shirley worked for Western Electric Co. (Hawthorne Plant) in Cicero for approximately 10 years after graduation from Morton High School and then went on to acquire an associates degree in business from Morton Junior College. She became a mother Dec. 3, 1948 to my brother and Feb. 1, 1952 to my sister. Several years later she accepted a job at Washington National Insurance Co. as a group underwriter for 21 years in Evanston, IL. while raising her 3 children. Mom took the summers off to be with the 3 of us so that we could frequent various museums in the area and learn to swim in Lake Michigan. Robert and Shirley along with my 2 siblings Lawrence and Victoria attended the Wilmette Baptist Church in Wilmette, IL. where they were quite active members. In 1985 at the age of 62 my parents moved to Bradenton, FL. where they became members of the First Church of the Nazarene.

Moms generosity was exemplary during family holiday gatherings and other eventful occasions and celebrations.

She was so tolerant with us when it came to getting new pets in the house that the 3 of us acquired along the way. I will always remember her perfection in planning our vacations and her organized ways. She had a heart of gold when my parents built an addition onto the house so Eleanor her mother could live with us from 1967 to 1980. She was a devoted daughter, sister, mother, and wife to her immediate family and had numerous friends. Shirley enjoyed ballet dancing, music, swimming, cooking, traveling, reading, tennis, and golf, and “danced the night away” until the age of 99.

Shirley is predeceased by her husband Robert, son Larry, daughter Vicky (husband Donald J. Smith), her parents Louis and Eleanor Budil, sister Laverne among numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

She is survived by her daughter Connie and husband David as well as her grandson Luke, wife Kimberlee, and 2 great grandsons, Brayden and Brecken of Casper, WY. She is also survived by her 2 grandsons Brian and Justin of Bradenton, FL.

We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Life Care Center for the care, dedication, and support she received while there. They made her feel welcome and engaged her in many wonderful activities. Shirley’s Memorial Service will be held at Newcomers, 710 E. 2nd St. Casper WY. on November 7th ,2026 at 1:30 with a reception to follow at Fuzzy Tacos located at 3243 Talon Dr. after her service.

May the Good Lord bless and keep her in the palm of his hand forever.

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