Shirley June Nelsen 72

Shirley June Nelsen 72, passed away Wednesday, July 7, 2010, at the Life Care Center in Sandpoint, Idaho.

Shirley was born June 22, 1938, in Bowbells, N.D., the third child of George and Edna Hattel.

The family moved to Spokane, Wash., while Shirley was still quite young.

Shirley graduated from Lewis and Clark High School in Spokane in 1956 and married Gary Nelsen in August of the same year.

In 1969, Shirley and Gary with their children moved to Noxon, Mont., where they bought a grocery store, the Nelsen Mercantile.

They were in business for many years becoming very involved in the community.

Everyone who knew Shirley said what an incredibly wonderful and caring person she was. Over the years she was involved in many kinds of activities.

Shirley was a leader in both the Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts. She was a member of the Noxon Homemakers.

Shirley liked to bowl, golf and in recent years became involved in square dancing.

She also enjoyed traveling, camping, hiking and picking huckleberries.

Shirley was very devoted to her children and her companion of the past 15 years, Leonard Thacker.

Perhaps her greatest joy was being together with her children and grandchildren.

Shirley is survived by her children, Rick Nelsen of Spokane, Wash., Bryan Nelsen of Billings, Mont., Cheryl Johnson of Trout Creek, Mont., and Jamie Nelsen of Sandpoint; as well as by her nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

A memorial service is planned for Friday, July 16, 2010, at 11 a.m. (MST) at the Community Methodist Church in Noxon, Mont., with a potluck following the service at the Noxon Fire Hall in Noxon.

In lieu of flowers donations can be sent in Shirley’s name to the American Cancer Society. 

Family and friends are invited to sign Shirley’s online guest book at www.coffeltfuneral.com.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care of Coffelt Funeral Service of Sandpoint.