Shirlietta Marie Castillo

Shirlietta Castillo was born in North Platte, Nebraska on June 5, 1936. She was the last child of Seven to be born to Thomas and Susie Morkin. She was born during the depression and growing up was a challenge for her and her other siblings. One of her favorite saying when she was little was “Well I’m the baby”. While growing up on the farm, Grandpa Goedert made sure the children went to Parochial school. Shirlietta and sister Dorothy were one year apart and were very close. One of the closest memories Dorothy has is being at the farm house, swinging on the big porch swing singing You Are My Sunshine by Gene Audrey. They loved the farm animals and spent much time playing on the form. Thomas Morkin joined the Navy and fought in World War ll and when he discharged, he went to the Bay Area in California to get settled. Thomas sent for the whole family in 1942 and they took a troop train to meet him in California. Susie packed up all of their belongings and a large trunk of fried chicken and sandwiches. This turned out to be very popular with the young service men on the long ride to California. Shirlietta married Clement Burnette right out of high school. Clem was a Navy man and the quickly moved to Japan where he was stationed. The family missed he greatly and could not wait for her to return. After Shirlietta and Clem divorced she married Darrell Stevenson and was married to him for 20 years. Darrell passed away from cancer at the age of 50. After some years went past Shirlietta married Gabriel Castillo, Gabe was the love of her life and she took care of him until he passed away at the age of 101. Gabe was a World War ll Veteran and was at Omaha Beach during the fiercest battles. Gabe was in charge of getting messages across enemy lines by using Homing Pigeons. This was his favorite hobby when he was married to Shirlietta, they enjoyed their time together with his birds. Shirlietta and Gabe would travel to Nevada and Arizona from the Bay Area and release their birds. The birds would make it back to their coup before Shirlietta and Gabe could get home. The entire family lived close to one another for many years. Eventually, sister Dorothy Stevens and Shirlietta would move in together because Gabe Castillo and James Stevens had passed away. The sisters lived together for many years until Shirlietta was diagnosed with Dementia. Dorothy Stevens middle son David moved the sisters to Oregon in January 2019 so he could take are of them. The sisters lived in Sublimity Oregon at Marion Estates where Shirlietta was very well taken care of. Shirlietta passed away on September 26, 2021, at 5:20pm and is survived by Dorothy Stevens Born March 14, 1935. Dorothy is the last surviving child of Thomas and Susie Morkin.