Shelli R. Farr

Shelli Farr, age 31 of Elwood, passed away on Thursday, January 17, 2013 at the Lexington Regional Medical Center. Shelli was born August 9, 1981, at Holdrege, Nebraska to Floyd and Elaine (Pfeiffer) Farr. Since birth, Shelli faced a host of physical challenges, including a significant hearing deficiency. Shelli attended Walnut Junior High in Grand Island, where she learned and quickly latched on to sign language. She became so adept at sign language that she eventually ended up in Hastings, teaching other children how to sign. Shelli went on to graduate from Elwood High School with the class of 2001. Following high school, Shelli worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant and Medication Aide at several care facilities, including the Elwood Care Center and the Golden Living Center in Cozad. Despite having a myriad of health problems, Shelli devoted her life to the care of others. Because she suffered pain daily, she always felt a sense of empathy for the people that she cared for throughout her career. She lovingly cared for those around her until May of 2010, when a debilitating stroke, which led to several other complications, forced her to stop working. Shelli had a caring heart, and despite all of the adversity in her life, she never stopped trying to make a difference in people""s lives. She lived each day as though it could be her last one; and as a result, she was passionate about everything she did. She loved spending time with her animals, particularly her dogs. She also enjoyed music, and despite her hearing loss, was an extremely gifted musician from an early age. Shelli was also a proud Husker football fan, and tried to represent her favorite team every chance she had which included wearing her Husker jersey and jewelry while lying in a hospital bed. She had a very special relationship with her family, and will be sorely missed by all whose lives she touched. Shelli was preceded in death by her daughter, Natalie Ann Farr; her father, Floyd; maternal grandparents, Cornelius and Ida Pfeiffer; maternal grandparents, Bill and Velma Farr; uncle, Kenneth Farr; aunt, Lois Pfeiffer; and a cousin, Cristy Niemeier. Survivors include her mother, Elaine Farr of Elwood; sister, Ronda (Brett) Whittaker of Eustis; 4 aunts, Marilyn (Robert) Schneider of Elwood, Dolores (Art) Oelkers of Elwood, Ardella (Duane) Brand of Holdrege, Dorthea (LaMoyne) Pfeiffer of Elwood; 4 uncles, Lloyd (Erma) Pfeiffer, Alvin (Isabelle) Pfeiffer, Lyle Pfeiffer all of Arapahoe, Dale (Pat) Pfeiffer of Colorado Springs, CO; 3 special family friends, Teresa Krzycki of Lincoln, Tyler Krzycki of Lexington, Jason Borman of Lexington; and many other relatives and friends. A memorial has been established in her memory. Condolences may be shared at berrymanfuneralhome.com. Services will be held on Monday, January 21, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. at the Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Elwood with the Reverend David Dobbertien officiating. Burial will be in the West Salem Cemetery south of Elwood. Visitation will be on Sunday, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Elwood. Berryman Funeral Home in Cozad is in charge of arrangements.