Mona Ruth Shook, 85

Mona Ruth Shook, 85, of Eureka, died of natural causes Saturday, March 28, 2010, with family at her side, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center. Mona was born March 25, 1925, to Esther Iverson and Joseph Woods in Hibbing, Minn. The family moved to several Montana communities before settling in Browning, where Mona attended grade school. The family spent several winters as caretakers at Many Glacier, the memories of which were treasured by Mona the rest of her life. Her mother and grandmother were both seasonal cooks at Two Medicine, one of their diners being President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who complimented the fine cooking with a signed note. Mona, too, excelled in the family s tradition of cooking. Mona attended high school at St. Matthew s in Kalispell before marrying husband Dick Davis in 1941. They resided in Browning and had two sons. Dick was killed in action following D-Day and buried in Luxemburg in 1945. Following the war, Mona continued to reside in Browning, marrying Bill Show in 1946. They had one child before divorcing. In 1949, Mona married Bob Shook of Cut Bank, where he worked for the oil refinery for over 30 years. The couple had two daughters. Mona was a loving and devoted mother who focused her life on children and family. She balanced being a full-time mother of five while working first as a clerk at Cut Bank grocery stores, then at the liquor store where she made lifelong friends. She enjoyed crocheting, playing bridge, listening to music and cooking for an appreciative family. Above all, she doted on and took immense pleasure from her children and grandchildren, planning their Christmas presents throughout the year. Mona and Bob began their retirement plans in Eureka, where they bought a home on Glen Lake in 1984. Bob died shortly after, and Mona moved to Whitefish where she became re-acquainted with Ross Armstrong, a career railroader whom she first met in her school days. She and Ross moved to Glen Lake in 1993, where they have resided since. She appreciated her many friends made in the Tobacco Valley. Mona was preceded in death by her three husbands; mother, Esther; stepfather, Fred Knowlton; son-in-law, Glenn Moran; and daughter-in-law, Julie Shook. She is survived by her loving friend and companion of 20 years, Ross Armstrong, of Eureka; her five children, son, Rick Shook, and wife, Carole, of Portland; son, Terry Shook, and wife, Lamar, of Cut Bank; daughter, Suzanne Davies, and husband, Dave, of Payson, Ariz.; daughter, Robin Newman, and husband, Steve, of Eureka; and daughter, Karin Ochs, and husband, Stanley, of Glendive; nine grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; cousins, George Bakke of Olympia, Wash., and Thora Nelson of Stanley, N.D.; and many lifelong friends. Private family services have taken place. A celebration of life is planned this summer in Eureka. The family suggests memorials to Mountain View Manor in Eureka or Brendan House in Kalispell. Local arrangements are by Schnackenberg and Nelson Funeral Home of Eureka.