Shirley Bertelsen, 94
If you walked at all around Columbia Falls, you saw our mother, Shirley Bertelsen going to church, the post office, senior citizens, grocery or thrift store. You were greeted with a big smile and wave. Crossing the street her cane would jut into the air to let cars know she was crossing. She was a presence. Mom was fun, flamboyant, and a diva never leaving the house without her lipstick on. It is with great sadness the family of Shirley Bertelsen announces her passing on Nov. 14, 2024. She was born Feb. 19, 1930, to Tom and Selma Morton. Mom’s message for us follows.
"My mind roams up and down my life: past, present, future and even beyond. I disregard many things that have passed. I choose to remember my life as a whole unit. I have many things to be grateful for: my faith in God, husband, family, friends, church. But most of all I was able to lead a fulfilling life. I believe there is no greater gift. God gave me this. Whenever in my life, I felt fear of the unknown, I tried to put my trust in the Lord’s hands. We cannot possibly know what God has in store for our lives. We have to trust and not wonder the big, 'why?' Have faith. When God calls us, life must go on and I truly feel peace in my heart. Everywhere I look, there is evidence of God. How can one not believe?
"We try so hard to pass down the values we have learned. Lessons given to us by God. I believe you alter life with your attitude. It has been my crutch since the death of Phil. Sometimes there are happy days that we anticipate and then time seems to pass so slowly, we can hardly wait. Yet, time has passed so quickly, we wonder where it went. We look back and forth and fail to see the beauty of today. We simply need to try to make the most of every minute. Put a little bit of love and laughter in the day and forget about the past or future. With this I have found every day can be lived with joy, remembering God is ever present, never leaving my side.
"It’s great to live, but I am ready for the other side. The inner love I feel for my family is so hard to explain. God has blessed me with Jan, Tom, and Sally Kay. Thank you, God, for my children. Jayde, Philip, and Tayler will always be near me. I am so proud of my grandchildren. I thank God for David and Jayne who support Jan and Tom. My sister, Kay, and Tom, her husband, have always been there for me. Each year they came for my birthday and the fall lunch on Flathead Lake. Thank you, God, for all you have blessed me with."
She was preceded in death by her husband, Philip Bertelsen, daughter, Sally Kay Bertelsen, and sister, Patricia Hibbard.
She leaves behind her daughter, Jan Bertelsen-James, husband David and their daughter Jayde, her husband James and children Remy and Easton; son Tom Bertelsen, wife Jayne and their son Phillip and daughter Tayler, her husband Matt; and sister Kay Morton Ellerhoff, husband Tom.
The family wishes to thank Beehive Homes of Columbia Falls for the care and love they showered on Shirley. Patti-Jo Kirk-Heldstab, Mom’s loving hairdresser and long-time friend and husband Lance, were always there for Mom whenever the need arose. Gratitude to Dr. Brandebury and staff for guidance through this process and commitment to Mom’s health for many years and Hospice for their expertise.