Shirley Busscher Spratt

Shirley Busscher Spratt’s life ended December 2016 due to natural causes at the age of 92, after being in a nursing home in Wyoming for 2 years.

Born in Chicago, her family moved to a farm in Kibbie, Michigan and later to South Haven, where she was graduated from high school in 1942. Serving together with her future husband, John (Jack) Spratt, on the South Haven High annual staff, Shirley was the Senior Editor. Engaged to Jack, she entered cadet nurse training, while Jack was training as a pilot to serve in WWII. Shirley and Jack married in May of 1943 when Jack was in advanced pilot training in Texas. Shirley entered nurses training in Chicago, while her husband was on overseas flight assignments. At war’s end Shirley and Jack began their family with the first of three children.

Shirley was widowed when Jack died on overseas duty in England with the U.S. Air Force, leaving her with 3 young children to raise on her own. She returned to nursing school earning a B.S. in nursing, M. S. degree in Public Health Nursing and Specialist in College Teaching.

Her long life was dedicated to her children and care for others through her nursing. As a memorial, a college scholarship fund is being established in her name to help single mothers continue their nursing training at the Casper College in Wyoming. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Shirley’s memory to the “Shirley Busscher Spratt College Scholarship Fund” at 1076 S. Bailey Avenue, South Haven, Michigan 49090 or Shirley Busscher Spratt Memorial  Nursing Scholarship Fund, Wells Fargo Bank, Post Office Box 2799, Casper, Wyoming  82602.

Shirley is survived by her daughter, Karen Killion and son-in-law B. K. Killion, daughter Anita Guthrie, grand daughter, Anne Anderson, and son John Spratt and his wife Carolyn.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, December 21, 2016 with Rev. Jeffrey S. Dick officiating at the Filbrandt Family Funeral Home in South Haven.