Shirley Lavon Taylor, 83, from Wolf Point, MT, passed away after a long illness, Sunday, December
6th at Trinity Hospital with her loving family at her side.
Shirley was born in Circle, MT, February 6, 1926, to Mike and Carol (Parsley) Limesand.
She attended country school at Shade Creek, south of Wolf Point, then Circle schools, graduating from Wolf Point High School in 1945. She met the love of her life, Burk Taylor, while working at the Triangle Café, which his parents owned. They were married in 1946 and for 63 years made Wolf Point their home.
Shirley worked at the Roosevelt County Courthouse, Citizens Bank, and Western Bank over many years. She loved people and was known for her great sense of humor, kindness, graciousness, and ever present smile. Her strength of character, forged in the badlands of Prairie Elk Creek, held her in good stead the rest of her life. Never one to complain, she always played the cards she was dealt with unusual determination and true grit.
Along with working outside the home, Shirley lovingly raised five children and spoiled her beloved Burkie. After retiring from Western Bank, she turned her attention to her garden–raising tomato plants that towered over her and tending to her beautiful flowers. She took up oil painting and quilting, and in her late 70s, lovingly hand-stitched beautiful quilts as keepsakes for each of her
grandchildren. She enjoyed getting together with friends, especially playing bridge with “the girls,” and meeting with her classmates for lunch. She welcomed all who came to her home with her beautiful smile and warm personality — creating a favorite gathering place for relatives, friends, and neighborhood kids. For her children and grandchildren, her home was the most comfortable and safe place in the world.
Beautiful and spirited, with the most generous giving heart, she was the sunshine in the lives of each of her family.
Shirley is survived by her children, Denise Taylor of Lake Oswego, OR, Lana Halverson of Billings, MT, Kali Lien of Wolf Point, Scott (Gail) Taylor of Wolf Point and Janell (John) Bond of Billings; her grandchildren, Heather Halverson, Josh (LeAnn) Lien, Kristi Halverson, Erin (Mark) Hardin, Aliyah Taylor, and Taylor Bond; her great-grandchildren, Jimmy and Jake Lien and
Dominic Hardin; sister, Helen Heier of Helena; and numerous nieces & nephews.
Shirley was preceded in death by her husband, Burk, who passed away only a week before; infant son, Gary; brothers Kenny Limesand, Lenny Limesand, and sister Myrle Harada.
Visitation will be held Friday, December 11, 2009 at Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel from
1:00-5:00 p.m. Funeral Services will be 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 12, 2009 at Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel. Interment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery. Condolences
may be sent to the family or to www.stevensonandsons.com. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel has been entrusted with the arrangements. The family suggests memorials be made to the Wolf Point 100 Club, P.O. Box 10, Wolf Point, MT 59201.