Shirley J. Hubka

Shirley (Lenhardt) Hubka, 89, of Cheyenne, Wyoming passed peacefully at CRMC surrounded by her family on February 8, 2024. Shirley was born October 2,1934 to John and Marie (Krening) Lenhardt in Loveland, CO.

When Shirley was 8 years old, her family moved to Cheyenne. Already as a child she enjoyed playing musical instruments. Each week, she toted around an accordion almost as large as herself to her lesson. She graduated from Cheyenne High school in 1952. After graduation, she worked for Beneficial Finance and later in life worked for Russell Stover Candies. She met her future husband at a dance at the Eagles Club in Cheyenne. Shirley married Joe Hubka on April 15, 1953 in Cheyenne. After Joe completed his basic training, they lived in Waynesville, Missouri while Joe was stationed at Fort Leonard Wood. They moved back to Cheyenne after Joe completed his enlistment.

Shirley enjoyed playing the organ and the lap harp, sewing, quilting, knitting, crocheting, stained glass art and painting. All of her children and grandchildren received a quilt specially made for each of them. Shirley loved preparing holiday meals for the family and trying new recipes. Her butterball soup was a family favorite. Reading was one of Shirley’s passions. She enjoyed all types of fiction with her favorite author being Clive Cussler.

Shirley and her husband’s love of dancing continued throughout their seventy-year marriage. They were active members of the Cheyenne Polka Club, even having the honor of being the Queen and King of the Polka Club. They enjoyed and encouraged family, friends, community members, and even schoolchildren to learn the polka providing free lessons. Polka took them to dances throughout the United States. They went on polka cruises to Europe, Alaska, Hawaii and down the Mississippi River. Shirley also enjoyed playing cards and games with family and friends.

Shirley was survived by her husband, Joe, at the time of her death. She is survived by her children, Bob (Norma), Terry (Tammy) and Denise (Jeff) Rucker. Shirley enjoyed children, especially babies, and was always happy to see her 7 grandchildren, David (Shelley), Shauna (James), Stephen (Monika), Jared (Basia), Brittany (Eric), Crystal (Zach), and Brianna (Jake) and 18 great-grandchildren. She is survived by her sisters-in law Mary Jane Lenhardt, Janice Lenhardt, and Nancy Lenhardt and several nieces and nephews.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, brothers, Melvin Lenhardt, Howard Lenhardt, sister, LaVon Parker and sister-in-law, Alma Miller and brother-in-law John Miller. A celebration of life will be held on February 27 at 10 am at Wiederspahn Radomsky Chapel of the Chimes with a reception following. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Laramie County Public Library or the Salvation Army.