Shirley Edith Reasner, 83
Shirley Edith Reasner passed away early Aug. 15, 2018, after 48 years fighting back against multiple sclerosis.
She was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, on Sept. 4, 1934, to Dr. Warren and Edith Spear.
Trained as a medical technologist, she retired after 25 years at Memorial Hospital in Mount Holly, New Jersey. She married Rev. Robert L. Reasner in 1956 and was the loving mother to three children, Robert, Karen and Mark Reasner. She was a grandmother to eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren and twins coming in the fall.
Shirley’s life was also one of ministry beyond the laboratory. She married and two days later became the director of the Emergency Center for Women run by the Salvation Army in Rochester, New York. From there they became dorm parents for 27 boys at Houghton Academy in Houghton, New York. Five years later she and her husband moved to South New Jersey where they served their first church. Together they served four congregations over the next 34 years. Shirley sang in the choirs, taught adult Bible class, high school youth and led the congregation’s mission programs. In the last church she was also a lay speaker. After retiring and moving to Montana, she became a member of the congregation at Epworth United Methodist Church and served in the Stephen Minister Program.
She would always say “MS may have my body but I will never let it get my spirit!” and to the very end, it never did! She fought back valiantly.
She is survived by her loving husband, Bob, having shared life together for 62 years serving their churches, communities and families; her children, Robert Reasner, Karen (Michael) Fantazzi, and Mark (Cheryl) Reasner; grandchildren and great-grandchildren, along with her extended family and many special friends.
The family wants to thank the medical teams and all those that have been a part of Shirley’s care and support throughout her journey and cannot adequately express the gratitude felt to the team at Immanuel Lutheran Homes Retreat. Their team was exceptional and loving, providing comfort to not only Shirley but the family. They made a lasting impression on our hearts.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Aug. 24 in the chapel at Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home, 525 Main St., Kalispell, followed by burial at the C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery. A reception will be held immediately following at the Epworth United Methodist Church.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Epworth United Methodist Church or the Multiple Sclerosis Society.