Shirley Lorraine Lenhart

On Monday evening, February 17, 2020, Shirley Lenhart age 86, died peacefully, with Ralph by her side. Memorial services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Monday, February 24, 2020 at Zion Lutheran Church in Glendive with Pastor Brenda Frelsi officiating. A luncheon will immediately follow services in the church basement. Silha Funeral Home of Glendive has been entrusted with the arrangements. December 12, 1933 Henry and Florence Nussear were overjoyed to welcome their first child into the world. Shirley Lorraine grew up on the family farm outside Eagle Bend, MN with her parents and little brother, George. Their Wykham Township community was family. Whether it was milking cows, building barns, studying fractions or the catechism, together they pushed through the depression, living and teaching their children the Christian values of compassion, generosity and gratitude. Little did Shirley know that a bus ride in her early teen years to visit an aunt at a nearby lake resort would forever change her life. The boy with whom she shared a seat, after almost a decade of correspondence would become her husband and life partner. After graduating from Eagle Bend High School, Shirley enrolled in the Northwestern Hospital School of Nursing in Minneapolis. Shortly after graduating Shirley and Ralph were married and made their home in the Twin Cities. Daughter Nan was born in 1958 and two years later they moved to Glendive, Montana, where Ned and Kaia were added to the fold. Their children, and later, grandchildren always have been central to their lives. The community – and people – of Glendive became home to Shirley and Ralph. She and Ralph were always a team: in the kitchen making “Shirley’s Buns” and “Ralph’s Lefse” and living out their faith wherever life took them. Shirley and Ralph spent summers with family and friends camping at Rock Creek, playing whist with friends, and throwing parties at their home to celebrate holidays and milestones in their friend’s lives. While Ralph taught math at Dawson Community College, Shirley continued growing in her nursing career. Taking care of women – and access to family planning – was a passion for Shirley. With Ralph’s encouragement she returned to school and received her Nurse Practitioners degree, then becoming the Family Planning Director for Dawson County. Over the next three decades Shirley became a trusted confidant and counselor to Eastern Montana women. Even after retirement, it was not uncommon for someone to introduce Shirley to their family with these words, “this is a woman who was special in my life – I always knew I could trust Shirley.” Shirley’s community involvement was expansive…Shirley served as state president of Jaycees, led Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, 4-H, P.E.O. and helped her friend Shirley Trangmoe start Dawson County Domestic Violence. Shirley was right by Ralph’s side when he served as a state legislator, campaigning with him in Dawson County, volunteering in the Helena statehouse taking blood pressures once a week, and as a member of the Legislative Spouses. The foundation underlying it all, was her deep and abiding faith. And Zion Lutheran became the place where that faith was nourished and grew. From teaching Sunday School to hosting lutefisk dinners to the Sarah Circle, Altar Guild to parish nursing and delivering homemade buns to shut-ins, this was her faith family. Shirley is survived by her husband of 65 years, Ralph, and a son, Ned (Jill), a daughter, Kaia (Jen). She has five grandchildren, Grace, Clara, Thea, Joshua and Jayla; a brother George (Barbara), and their children, David, Susan, Christina, and Robin; and a niece Linda. Shirley is preceded in death by her beloved daughter, Nan. The family suggests memorials be sent to Zion Lutheran Church or Dawson County Domestic Violence. Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at: www.silhafuneralhomes.com.

Shirley Lorraine Lenhart

December 12, 1933 - February 17, 2020

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Shirley Lorraine Lenhart

December 12, 1933 - February 17, 2020

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

Plan Ahead

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information

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