Shirley Jane Struck, 88

Shirley Jane Struck, 88, of Kalispell, passed away at Brendan House on March 3, 2023. Shirley was born on March 18, 1934 in Redwood County, Minnesota. She was the eldest of five children born to Arnold and Mary Winkelmann.

She grew up a farm girl and lived through trying times after the depression. In her late teens, she met farmhand, Harlan Bruns, who worked at a neighboring farm. They were married on Aug. 26, 1954 and had three children, Debra, Mandy and Byron.

After several years of being a homemaker and raising children in a small rural town, the family moved to Litchfield, Minnesota. There she had opportunities to work and was employed by Fingerhut and Land O’ Lakes. After several visits to Glacier Park, the family moved to Kalispell in June 1971. The move was a difficult change as she left her immediate family in Minnesota.

On Nov. 24, 1973, she married Emil (Bud) Struck. They worked together building Midwestern Homes and several homes as Glacier Builders. In the early 1980s they started and operated Glacier Potato. Shirley worked for Immanuel Lutheran Home for many years and at Stampede Meats until 2020.

Shirley was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church since 1974, nearly 50 years. She always had her Bible nearby and read devotionals and inspirational stories. She enjoyed sewing, baking, growing flowers and watching birds.

She is survived by daughters, Debra (Gary) Struck, Kalispell; Mandy Foster (Jeff-deceased) Anchorage, AK; and son, Byron (Cindy) Bruns, Reno, NV.

Grandchildren, Stephen (Joni) Struck, Stacy (Eric) Struck, Bradley (Amanda) Foster, Dawson (Niki) Foster, Madison and Michaela Bruns, David (Laura) Bruns. Great-grandchildren, Laci Struck, Ameyla and Madelyn Foster and David Bruns II. Brothers, Gerald (Beverly) Winkelmann, Raymond, MN; Delbert (Caril) Winkelmann, Hutchinson, MN; Allen Winkelmann, Clarksville, MD. Sister, Linda (Tom) Lloyd, Apple Valley, MN. She is also survived by cousins, several nephews and a niece.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting a donation in her name to Bethlehem Lutheran Church or St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

The family would like to thank the nursing staff at Brendan House for caring for Shirley during her past two years.

Visitation will be held on Monday, March 20 from 10-11 a.m.. The service to be held at 11 a.m. at Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home. Burial will take place at Conrad Memorial Cemetery after the service. Reception to follow. Arrangements are in the care of Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home.