Shirley M. Barrett, 92

Shirley Mae (Mikalson) Barrett, 92, passed away peacefully on Sept. 11, 2024, in Kalispell.  

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack Barrett, who were married from 1972-2014, when he passed away. They joined her four children, Jack’s six children and bound the family together with their son, James Barrett. She was also preceded in death by her son James, son-in-law Jake Boll, grandson Jay Collier, granddaughter Kimberly Barrett, and great-grandson Sebastion Gee.  

She is survived by children Wendy Boll, Tony (Elizabeth) Barrett, Stan (Liz) Foy, Pat Barrett, Jackie (Joe) Knox, Connie (Bob) Tuman, Dee Dee (Mark) Daus, Michael Barrett, John (Tami) Barrett and John Roedel; along with 31 grandchildren, 50 great-grandchildren, 11 great-great-grandchildren and one great-great-great-grandchild. Obviously, Shirley was great for many reasons! 

Shirley was born March 26, 1932, in Eureka during the Great Depression and grew up under modest beginnings through World War II. She was preceded in death by her parents John and Lottie Mikalson of Eureka as well as two sisters and two brothers. 

Her business acumen and creativity led her to entrepreneurial endeavors starting with a knitting and sewing business in Eureka in the ’50s. Then a sewing business in Kalispell and at other locations around the valley until she remained constant in Evergreen. Shirley’s business mind also led her to secretary positions in the late ’60s for Swan River Youth Camp, a utility company in Kalispell, Pacific Lutheran University and eventually for the family business, Meadow Manor Trailer Court. 

In her “copious free time” she discovered quilting in the late ’70s and mastered that fiber art skill to the point of being recorded in the Montana Historic Quilt Project which tells the story of Montana’s history over the last 150 years. 

Her most notable quilt awards were for the “The Expressions of Liberty” competition which comprised 51 winning quilts made for The Great American Quilt Contest, a museum of American folk art presented in celebration of the Statue of Liberty Centennial which traveled the USA and abroad with 49 other winning quilts from each state. Flathead Quilt Guild and the Tuesday Morning Group were like sisters to her. Thanks to all those ladies who were part of a fellowship of quilters and avid “thread heads” that were able to divert from the daily grind to creating historical fiber art pieces with each other. 

Shirley has blessed each child and grandchildren with valuable creations from her heart, as well gifting her many friends and numerous charities with sewing or knitting projects. Her philanthropy included Evergreen Volunteer Fire Department Women’s Auxiliary, Lions Club, St. Matthews Church, Risen Christ Church, St Jude’s, Flathead Quilters Guild, knitted caps for vets overseas, knitted caps for new babies at the hospital, volunteered in Kalispell hospital, creating a truckload of warm items for homeless people. Her Godly hands and heart were always busy serving others as well as her family and business/life partner, Jack Barrett. 

While living at Prestige Assisted Living at Kalispell for seven years, she kept busy with her fiber arts creating lap quilts for people at the facility along with “fidget quilts” for the memory care center. “Rosie the Riveter” of Covid masks made hundreds of rather fashionable fabric masks for people in need. Our entire family would like to extend a special “THANK YOU” for making Shirley feel loved and well cared for. They too, were sorry to see her go. Another thanks to the angels from Logan Hospice Team in the last three months who helped us all transition to the end of her 92 years in Montana. 

Fun facts: She will always be fondly remembered as a talented, loving, quick witted, feisty Norwegian with the gracious spirit of serving others in her career choices and survived to tell the many stories of being a mother to 11 children which grew an enormous family tree. Shirley was a skilled saxophone player in high school and loved to dance. We cannot look at roses, casseroles, cinnamon rolls, strawberry milkshakes, well-done steaks, all shades of pink, fabric collections or listen to Kenny G without thinking of our Shirley. She actually tore up the mountainsides on snowmobiles with her Evergreen Volunteer Fire Fighters couples. An occasional sweet wine used to be her jam when she was clubbing (Moose Club, Lions Club, Auxiliary club, Quilt Clubs, Good Sam Club ...). The Good Sam club enjoyed RV parks in Montana and surrounding states, and then Shirley and Jack became snowbirds to Arizona for many years with friends from Evergreen in their motor home with DIEBROKE license plates. Shirley and Jack left a legacy to their children with more unconditional love than we will ever comprehend. Shirley, wife, mom, aunt, grandma, friend will be forever in a stitched-up place in our hearts.  

Jesus has another good one! You are so very loved and missed beyond measure.