Shirley Marie Spurgeon, 75

Shirley Marie Spurgeon, 75, passed away on Tuesday in Kalispell at Kalispell Regional Medical Center of natural causes, surrounded by family.

Shirley was born March 5, 1940, in Missoula to Harold and Mildred Bandy, the first of three children. Shirley graduated from Frenchtown High School in 1957 with honors. She attended the University of Montana in Missoula where she obtained her degree in business administration and home economics in 1961.

Shirley went on to teach business education, home economics, girls’ health and physical education and even journalism in Superior, Fort Benton and Seeley-Swan High School.

In 1967, Shirley moved to Kalispell and began her illustrious teaching career in School District 5. She taught many curriculums in home economics, including cooking classes, sewing, child development, travel and was probably most well-known for the work experience program, which allowed students to receive credit for having part-time jobs during school. For many years, Shirley served as the grant administrator, bringing in more than $2 million for the district. Shirley was teaching at Linderman Education Center at the time of her death.

Shirley was a member of many organizations including local, state and national vocational educational associations and family and consumer sciences associations, the American Association of University Women, the Kalispell Education Association and Alpha Delta Kappa, a teachers’ honorary organization, where she served at the local and state level. She received many awards which included Vocational Home Economics Teacher of the Year and most recently a Distinguished Service Award from the Montana Association of Family & Consumer Sciences. Shirley was also a part of many community organizations including United Way, and was a member of and on the scholarship committee at Epworth United Methodist Church. Shirley was a most giving and warm person and was loved by so many.

Shirley is survived by her husband, C.W. “Bill”; daughter, LeeAnne, and Matt Swiridow; adopted daughters, Holly and Casey Howery, and Laura and Jeff Christiana; sister, Sharon, and Henry Helgeson; brother, Bill, and Maline Bandy; uncle, Harry Bandy; as well as several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and -nephews, cousins and other extended family.

A memorial service will be held 4 p.m. Friday, May 22, at Epworth United Methodist Church in Kalispell. A dessert reception will follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Shirley Spurgeon Memorial Scholarship Fund that will be formed in her honor to support students pursuing careers in service and education.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Shirley’s family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and view Shirley’s tribute wall.