Funeral services celebrating the life of Shirley Ann Thomas Biberdorf will be held on Saturday November 7 2009 at 2 P.M. at Our Savior Lutheran Church 4933 S. 7th under the direction of North's Funeral Home. Visitation will be held at Our Savior Lutheran Church from 12:00 until 2 P.M. prior to the services. Interment will be at the Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Abilene Monday 11:00 a.m. November 9 2009. Shirley went to be with her Lord and Savior on November 4 2009 at Abilene Regional Medical Center. Shirley was born in Gainesville Texas on March 1 1936 to Travis and Laura Marie Thomas. She lived in Gainesville until she married Otto L. Biberdorf on May 10 1958 in Ardmore Oklahoma. Shirley and Otto lived in Ardmore until they were transferred to Fairfield CA. Their son Brent was born there in 1962. Otto was in the U.S. Air Force and his career took them to many duty stations. After California they lived in Puerto Rico again in California the Philippines and then in Topeka Kansas. When Otto was sent to Viet Nam Shirley returned with Brent and resided in Gainesville with her parents for a year. Upon Otto's return they were transferred to Abilene where Otto eventually retired from military service and Shirley became active in the community. Shirley was employed by Abilene I.S.D. for 24 years. She was an active member of the Lutheran Women's Missionary League and the Gleaners organization of her church. She also belonged to TOPS. Her greatest love was her husband and family. She loved to travel and enjoyed many camping trips with her extended family over the years. The family will remember and treasure the many wonderful times that Shirley made possible. She was a wonderful cook and one of her most requested recipes was for her "famous and delicious" fudge. The family gatherings and church functions will sorely miss her chocolate delight contributions too! Shirley was the epitome of a true lady with a kind generous and loving heart. No one human or animal would be allowed to suffer or go hungry if she knew it. Her love for all of God's kingdom was to become the stuff of family legend. The strays and foundlings she rescued were numerous. Her recent illness was born with a quiet strength and determination to protect and love her family with all the energy she possessed. Her courage and poise in this difficult time was an example to us all. She is survived by her loved and loving husband Otto their adored son and wife Brent and Holly Biberdorf all of Abilene and her beloved sister Melody K. Helton of Gainesville TX along with nephews Chet Wheeler and wife Kelly of Justin TX Scott Wheeler and wife Cathy of Lewisville TX and Mark Helton and son Alex of Athens TX Matthew Helton and wife Crystal of Sherman TX and great-niece and great-nephew Paige and Jacob Langley (and their Dad Chris) of Enterprise AL. She will be greatly missed by her family as well as her many friends. Shirley was preceded in death by her parents sister Carolyn Thomas Wheeler and niece Laura Helton Langley. Pall bearers include her nephews Chet and Scott Wheeler Mark and Matthew Helton and Mark Koslan John Klemp Harold Hohhertz and David Coker all of Abilene. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be made to the Lutheran Women's Missionary League or Gleaners of Our Savior Lutheran Church. On-line condolences may be sent to www.northsfuneralhome.com.