Lila Mae (Shipman) Nunnenkamp, 90, of Grand Island, passed away on Sunday, April 21, 2013 at Tiffany Square.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 am Thursday, April 25, 2013 at Trinity Lutheran Church. The Reverend Jack Gillam will officiate. There will be a family prayer service at 10:15 am. Burial will be in the Grand Island City Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-8 pm Wednesday at Livingston-Sondermann Funeral Home.
Memorials are suggested to Trinity Lutheran Church or the Grand Island Humane Society.
Lila was born on February 26, 1923 on the family farm north of Grand Island, to Herman and Margaretha "Margaret" (Hargens) Shipman.
Immediate survivors are Lynn and Sue Nunnenkamp of Lake Forest, CA, Kathleen and David Pieper of Grand Island, Lonnie and Carla Nunnenkamp of Alda, NE; Grandchildren are Chris (Joanna) Nunnenkamp of Romeoville, IL, Robert (Wendy) Pieper of Lincoln, Richard (Megan) Pieper of Crete, NE, Leisa (Stephen) Rowe of Kennesaw, NE, and Rachel (Jason) Vedder of San Diego, CA. Great grandchildren are Nikolas and Jacob Nunnenkamp, Kadence and Kash Pieper, Emmett Pieper, Bennet and Grayson Rowe and Alexander Vedder.
She was baptized and confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church and attended Grand Island Schools. She loved farm life and helped her family and neighbors from an early age as a domestic. As a young woman, she moved into Grand Island and worked at Hested's Department Store, a local dress shop, and Self Service Drug Store, going home weekends to help on the family farm.
On June 18, 1950 she married Wallace "Wally" Nunnenkamp in Grand Island. The couple made their home in Grand Island. She cooked for hired men, put up a large garden every year and helped Wally run Nunnenkamp Well Company on their home place on Webb Road. He tragically died in a job related accident in 1974, and after much prayer and planning she continued to run the business successfully, moving it to its current address on Kent Avenue. She retired in 1998 after 25 years, selling the business to its current owner.
Lila was a long-time member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Grand Island and the Ruth Society. She had been active in several card clubs, and was a past member of the Liederkranz and the Saddle Club. She loved getting together with friends and family for any occasion and, especially enjoyed her grandchildren and great grandchildren. One of her favorite things was telling jokes and relating stories of her childhood as well as doing puzzles, reading, flowers and animals. She had a special fondness for dogs and wildlife. The happy memories of her life and times together with family and friends sustained Lila in her final days.
Lila was a true caregiver. Her compassion was evident s she cared for many people in her life. She loved her country roots and German heritage, as well as her American life. She watched carefully how the rich, Nebraska land was used. Her faith was strong and evident in her life and she always tried to be happy and upbeat. She will be remembered for her radiant smile and kindness to others.
She is also survived by a sister-in-law, Donna Boyce of Anaheim, CA; nieces Dorothy Helmbrecht of Grand Island, Evelyn Jensen of Huntsville, AL; nephew Marvin Nunnenkamp of Belmont, CA, plus many other nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Wallace Nunnenkamp, her six sisters, Lenora Shipman, Norma Schertzberg, Edna Pauly, Emma Nunnenkamp, Rose Crawford and Kate Crawford; and two brothers, Adolph Shipman and Wilhelm Shipman.
In her later years as she battled dementia and Alzheimer's, Lila always had a song in her heart and a cheerful smile on her face. She lived happily at Tiffany Square Center since 2008 and enjoyed visiting with staff as well as residents and visitors; she will be greatly missed.
Online condolences may be directed through www.livson.com

Funeral services will be at 10:30 am Thursday, April 25, 2013 at Trinity Lutheran Church. The Reverend Jack Gillam will officiate. There will be a family prayer service at 10:15 am. Burial will be in the Grand Island City Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-8 pm Wednesday at Livingston-Sondermann Funeral Home.
Memorials are suggested to Trinity Lutheran Church or the Grand Island Humane Society.