FORT WORTH – Shirley Ann Schultz Durko, 91, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, and went home to Heaven. Shirley was born April 24, 1935, in Columbus, Nebraska, to Fred and Claudia Schultz. She was the second of nine, having four sisters and four brothers. She graduated from Columbus High. In 1957 Shirley joined the Navy and served two years. It was in 1959 that she met Robert “Bob” Durko, the love of her life, on a blind date. When her best friend asked her what she thought, Shirley said “he is a nice guy, but not the kind I would marry.” As it turned out, he was exactly the right guy, and they were together for 65 years. They raised three children while traveling and living several places during Bob’s military service which included El Paso, Texas, Omaha, Nebraska, and even Lakenheath, England. When it came time to retire they decided to come back to Fort Worth, Texas. Shirley had several job titles that including office administrator, executive assistant, as well as mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She retired from her office job in 2000 and focused on her role as grandmother. Shirley was extremely proud of her children; grandchildren; and great-grandchild. She loved spending time with them and attended so many band events, soccer games and other activities for all of them through the years, cheering them on and supporting them. Shirley loved them with all of her heart and they loved her back with all of theirs. Although she is gone from us physically she is with us in our hearts and her legacy will live on in the lessons that she taught us and the great example that she was. She was preceded in death by her father, Fred Schultz; mother, Claudia Schultz; her sisters, Roberta Lovell, Darlene Schultz, and Avis Bernis; brothers, Fred Schultz, Jr. and George Schultz; and her son, Robert M. Durko. Shirley is survived by her sister, Janet Longnecker; brothers, Herb Schultz, and Don Schultz; son, Fred Durko and wife, Christie; her daughter, Mary (Durko) Ledbetter; her daughter-in-law, Debbie (wife of Robert M. Durko); her grandchildren, Justin Durko and wife, Laura Harris, Joseph Durko, Forrest Ledbetter and wife, Bhabika Joshi, Camille Durko Anderson and husband, Ryan, Annabella Durko, and Samuel Durko; and great-grandchild, Baker Anderson. Her Celebration of Life will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, June 26, 2026, at West Freeway Church of Christ, 1900 S. Las Vegas Trail, Fort Worth, Texas, 76108. An interment will immediately follow the service at Mount Olivet Cemetery. Visitation: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, June 25, 2026, in the Breyley Suite at Mount Olivet Chapel. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the West Freeway Family Fund (1900 S. Las Vegas Trail Fort Worth, Texas, 76108) (817-246-8000). MOUNT OLIVET CHAPEL Greenwood Funeral Homes – Cremation 2301 N. Sylvania Avenue, Fort Worth, TX 76111 817-831-0511
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