Shirley Ann Kouns

January 2, 1949 – January 9, 2011

Shirley Ann Kouns passed away on Sunday, January 9, 2011 at Longmont United Hospital. She was born January 2, 1949 in North Platte Nebraska.

By 1956 her parents, William and Gay Stoddard moved to Denver where she would grow up, attending Abe Lincoln High School. It is there she met Robert “Bob” Kouns and began the wonderful romance that was the basis of the family they would share. Three sons were added to the family who settled in Berthoud by 1975.

Shirley became an active part of the Berthoud community, coaching baseball teams (even running the baseball program for a time), giving piano lessons, sitting on the Berthoud Planning commission, and volunteering in many civic and charitable events. She even opened a laundromat where she found many more opportunities to reach out. However, the family wasn’t quite complete, and during this time she and Bob adopted a daughter and continued their life of joy and togetherness.  Sons grew up and married and seven granddaughters would become the joy of her life.

Though this is family as many would define it, she was a woman who never met a stranger, was known to say “if you can only be generous at Christmas then why bother” and was generous to a fault. She was an active member of LifeBridge Christian Church, a volunteer driver for Meals on Wheels and was known to offer random acts of kindness the recipient was seldom aware she was behind.

Her health would slow her body down, but not her spirit of care. To the end she cared. Her kindness, curiosity, honesty, laugher and love will be missed.

She is survived by her best friend, Bob; her beloved children Chris, Buddy, KC and Jenny; three grateful daughters-in-law, Cheryl, Michelle and Kim, and the most remarkable granddaughters, Katie, Miranda, Sami, Audrey, Sydney, Faith and Sarah, all of the Berthoud area. She is also survived by her father Bill, sister Terri, brother Mark, and many extended family and friends.

Her memorial service will be 1 pm, Friday, January 14, 2011 at LifeBridge Christian Church in Longmont. A reception will follow. Memorial contributions can be made to the LifeBridge Benevolence Fund. Share condolences and memories with the family at www.ahlbergfuneralchapel.com