Shirley Marie (Reifler) Hood – December 1, 1934 to March 23, 2023 (age 88)
Our darling mother, Shirley Marie (Reifler) Hood, was born December 1, 1934, in rural Morrill, Nebraska, the last child of Joseph “Otto” and Mary (Graf) Reifler. She passed away peacefully on March 23, 2023, at The Residency Care Center, Scottsbluff, NE.
Growing up, Mother attended school in Scottsbluff, NE and worked in her parents’ restaurants, The City Café and The Eagle Café, both on Broadway in Scottsbluff. She later married our father, Robert E. Thompson, of Cheyenne, Wyoming. Our parents resided in Denver, Colorado, where their two children were born. After returning to Scottsbluff, Mother worked at several local restaurants, including her favorite, The Copper Kettle. In 1962, she joined United Telephone & Telegraph’s Scottsbluff office as the first female to work in the “traffic” department. Due to health reasons, Mother retired from UT&T after 21 years of service. In 1971, our Mother was united in marriage to Harry J. Hood of Scottsbluff. Mother and Harry were married until Harry’s passing in 2008.
Left to cherish our memories of Mother are: daughter and grandson, Mary Ann Thompson and Jon Littrell of Gering, NE and Denver, CO; son and his family, Robert “Bob” Thompson and wife Margaret (Collen) of Chuluota FL and formerly of San Diego, CA, grandson Brian Thompson and great-grandson, Bentley of San Diego, CA; granddaughter Amanda McKee (Sean) and great-grandchildren Sean, Kaylie, Evan and Nathan of Chuluota, FL; step-daughter Terry Smith (Bob) of Scottsbluff; step-son Scott Hood (Cindi) of Broken Arrow, OK and their respective families; nephew Robert A. Ray and family of Stuart, FL; and great-nephew Terry Conrad (Nancy) of Danville, CA and the numerous friends she loved cherished. Our mother was the last of her generation of our family. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harry J. Hood; parents, Otto and Mary Reifler; siblings, Anne Risor (Al), (infant brother) Albert, Emily “Mike” Ray (Bud A.), Fred Reifler (Dorothy), and William “Bill” Reifler (Betty); and many other family members and dear friends.
At Mother’s request, cremation has taken place and graveside services will be held this coming summer with Dugan Kramer Funeral Home and Crematory providing services. Fond memories and condolences for the family may be shared at www.dugankramer.com. In lieu of flowers and in memory of her beloved dog, Smokey, our Mother requested memorials be directed to Common Grounds Dog Park Committee, 1613 Cowan Drive, Scottsbluff, NE 69361 www.commongroundsdogpark.com, or to a charity of your choice. Finally, for the constant and considerable amount of love, laughter and attention they gave Mother, we, her children, would like to express our heartfelt gratitude for the staff at Northfield Vista Assisted Living in Gering, NE. She adored you all so very much and we “sure do appreciate you!”
