Shirley Ann (Owens) Druesdow, 91
Shirley Ann (Owens) Druesdow, 91, passed away on Sept. 5, 2022.
Shirley was born in Libby on Jan. 29, 1931, to James H. Owens and Rachel Williams Owens. Tragically, when she was just 3, her father drowned while working for the Forest Service. Following his death, her mother moved her and her three brothers and sister to Kalispell. Her mother later remarried Orville Hoover and together they added another boy and girl to the family.
Shirley married Charles A. Druesdow on Aug.t 8, 1949. They celebrated 66 years of marriage and were blessed with three children, Mike, Susan and Sherry. She was a stay-at-home mom until 1968 when Charles lost his sight in an auto accident. Shirley became his faithful caregiver and companion until his death in November of 2015.
When many would have struggled, she carried on. She taught herself to tackle home improvement projects, maintained a beautiful yard and flower gardens, and continued the family's love of camping and spending time outdoors. With Charles in tow, she would load up her grandkids and take them on adventures they will never forget. Many memory-filled summers surrounded by numerous aunts, uncles and cousins were spent at Swan Lake, McGregor Lake, and various other locations throughout the area. Her children and grandchildren will always cherish those times.
She enjoyed numerous activities including ceramics, tole painting and collecting Cherished Teddies. She was a talented seamstress, making holiday outfits, costumes and doll clothes for her children and grandchildren. She loved decorating her home for each holiday.
She was always busy in her kitchen and especially loved making cinnamon rolls for family and friends. Her baking powder biscuits were close to famous, and her grandkids were often found banging on her door just to see what she had in her refrigerator. She made sure no one left her home hungry.
Shirley treasured time spent with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Over the years she taught them her baking, sewing and crafting skills. Her face would always light up when they came to visit.
She never turned down a card game, and always had a bag of quarters in her purse just in case the opportunity for a game of 31 came about. She loved hunting for treasures at local thrift stores and garage sales and was always trying to lovingly pass on her finds to her family.
She and Charles shared an appreciation for music that was contagious. Their favorites being Marty Robbins, Johnny Cash, Tom T. Hall and Hank Williams.
Shirley was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Charles; brothers, Patrick, Dennis and Gaylon “Lum” Owens; sisters, Dorothy Owens Pennoyer and Lynda Marie Hoover; and cherished sister-in-law and friend, Arline Owens.
She is survived by her children, Mike (Zina) Druesdow, Susan (Andrew) Tweet, and Sherry (James) Miller, all of Kalispell; her cherished grandchildren, Andrea, Lisa, Chuck and Michael Druesdow; Melissa Tweet; Mindy (Tweet) Glenna; and McKenna (Miller) Quick; also, great-, and great-great-grandchildren; brother, Mike Hoover of Rexford; and many nieces, nephews and other relatives.
Our family would like to express our heartfelt thanks for the wonderful, compassionate care she received from the staff at Wel-Life of Kalispell and Enhabit Hospice. Your kindness and love shown was truly appreciated.
Graveside services for Shirley will be held at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery on Oct. 8 at 2 p.m. A celebration of life will follow at Village Greens Community Center.
In lieu of flowers, please bring your quarters for a game of 31 in her honor.
Johnson-Gloschat funeral home is caring for Shirley and her family.