News you can use

Shirley Lucile Swan

Shirley Lucile Swan passed away in Edmond, Oklahoma, on Aug. 18, 2014, at age 94. She was born on Jan. 19, 1920, on the Goodian ranch 7 1/2 miles northwest of Box Elder, Montana, and attended grade and high school in Box Elder and graduated as the valedictorian on May 21, 1938.

Shirley married Walter J. Swan on Sept. 21, 1938, and celebrated 62 1/2 years together when he passed in March 2000. To this union, a daughter and son were born. Jamie was killed in a bike accident at the railroad crossing in Box Elder in 1961. Rita lives in Edmond, Oklahoma with her husband Dick.

Shirley worked in the shipyard at Portland, Oregon, during World War II. Shirley attended college in Dillon, Montana, and received a diploma to teach elementary grades 1-8 in May 1952. Teaching in Box Elder and Big Sandy was a most rewarding experience, as she loved teaching in both communities. In Box Elder she not only taught first grade but she had the Reading Improvement Program and the first Headstart program in Montana. While teaching, she continued her studies and earned her degree in the summer of 1965 and graduated in 1966 from Northern Montana College in Havre, Montana. Shirley taught 22 of her 29 years in her hometown of Box Elder.

Besides family and teaching, Shirley was an avid bowler. Bowling in Havre and Big Sandy for many years was a pastime she loved. After moving to Lewistown, Montana, in 1990, she continued bowling and received many awards as well as being secretary of the Senior League that she, Rex Coleman, owner of Snowy Lanes, Don Dormady and Floyd Jenni founded in 1992.

Survivors are daughter, Rita Swan Pemberton and husband Dick of Edmond; sister, Joyce Michels of Box Elder and Jeff and Vickie Michels; nieces, Kadene (Greg) and Kelli and nephews Kendall (Caren), Kenley (Mary Beth) and Eddy, Ernie and Robert; grandchildren, Douglas, his wife, Donnette and Larry and Jodi; great-grandchildren, Mandi, Richie, Brandon (Liv), TJ (Kendra) and JoLee; and great-great-grandchildren Landon, Madison and Natalie.

Graveside Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2014, at 2 p.m., at Highland Cemetery in Havre.

 

Reader Comments(0)

 
 
Rendered 03/26/2024 13:12