Fred Albert Thoeny, age 79, passed away at home on December 12, 2015. Shirley Ann Thoeny, age 77, passed away at Holy Rosary Hospital in Miles City on December 13, 2015.
Fred was born in St. Paul, Minnesota on November 19, 1936. His parents were George and Anna Thoeny. Fred lived in Centerville Township, Minnesota until he was 13 and then moved to Brockway, Montana with his family riding the train in a boxcar. He joined the Army in December of 1958 and served until December of 1960. During one of his leaves he toured Europe, Italy and Switzerland. While in Switzerland, he had the opportunity to visit his parents relatives.
Shirley was born in Miles City, Montana on September 3, 1938. Her parents were Clarence and Mollie Holman. Shirley grew up on a ranch near Volberg, Montana. She graduated from Custer County High School in 1956. Shirley married Lloyd Wayne Elliot in March of 1957. They lived in Las Vegas, Nevada and Shirley enjoyed playing the slot machines and worked at various jobs. A son Leslie Elliot was born.
Fred and Shirley met while learning to square dance in Miles City, Montana. They kept in touch by writing letters. Fred was living at the ranch southwest of Brockway and Shirley lived in Miles City. The letters were saved and shared with their children later. They were married on February 24, 1963 in Circle, Montana on a rainy day. This union blessed them with children Molly, Marie, Georgia and Michael. Fred ranched and Shirley was a homemaker and helped Fred on the ranch. Fred was involved with several community organizations. He also served as a county commissioner. Shirley enjoyed sewing clothes and making delicious shrimp salad, cinnamon rolls and cookies.
Fred and Shirley retired in 2001 and moved to Miles City. Fred volunteered at the senior citizen Drop Inn Center and enjoyed helping with bingo. Shirley joined TOPS and enjoyed doing cross stitch and computer games. They enjoyed nickel gambling at the local establishments. The most enjoyable vacation was the Charlie Russell Chew-Choo train ride and the mock robbery that occurred during the ride. Fred and Shirley loved it when the grandkids came to visit.
Shirley was preceded in death by her parents Clarence and Mollie Holman; brother Howard and sister Arlene. Fred is survived by brothers: Matt (Marie), Henry (Frances), Simmy; and a sister Annie (Merle) Vine. Shirley is survived by a sister Esther Culpepper; a son Leslie (Barb) Elliot and grandchildren Chris, and Khristi. Fred and Shirley are survived by their daughters: Molly (Button) Lloyd; Marie (Vernon) Swecker; Georgia (KB) Sweten and a son Michael (Sheena) Thoeny; and grandchildren: Desiree, Alighta, Mariah, David, Sierra, Gracie, Katie and Jake.
Family will receive friends on Friday, December 18, 2015 from 3:00-5:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, December 19, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home. Interment will follow in the Eastern Montana State Veteran’s Cemetery with full military honors provided by VFW Post 1579. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Senior Citizen Drop Inn Center in Miles City or the charity of one’s choice.
Special thanks to the Drop Inn Center, Cottonwood Care Home, Holy Rosary Hospital, Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home and anyone else we may have forgot to mention.
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Friday December 18, 2015
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Saturday December 19, 2015
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Graveside Service with Full Military Honors
Saturday December 19, 2015
Eastern Montana State Veteran's Cemetery
Miles City , Montana 59301
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Friday December 18, 2015
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Saturday December 19, 2015
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Graveside Service with Full Military Honors
Saturday December 19, 2015
Eastern Montana State Veteran's Cemetery
Miles City , Montana 59301
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troy n holly n family says
Fred my heart lies still for you n Shirley. You were an amazing man taking the best of care n love til forever. May our love be as strong as you show us.
Rose Timmons says
To The Family of Fred: I cleaned for the Drop In Center for about a year, Fred would come in to set things up for the events of the day. He was to most nicest kindest man I have ever met! My Prayers are with the family and friends of Fred; he will surely be missed.
Karen gunther says
so sorry for your loss Molly, you and your family are in my prayers
Dee Dee Culpepper Rice says
Thoeny family – I am sorry to hear of your losses of your Mom and Dad. Know your family is in my thoughts and prayers.
Vanna Byrd says
May God keep you wrapped in his healing embrace!
Cheri (Fritz) weidner says
Molly, Marie, Georgia and Michael please know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers. Hold close to each other and to you memories of your wonderful parents. Let God comfort you in your time of grief.
Jessica Bradley says
My prayers for you all at this difficult time. I am so very sorry for your loss!
April Thompson says
Oh Fred and Shirley,
You will be missed. My thoughts and prayers to the family.
Charla K. BORDER says
Molly and Marie, sorry to hear about the passing of your Dad. Just kno he is in Heaven and now u have another guardian Angel watching over you, keeping you safe. Hugs.
Janet Buraas Klein says
So sorry to hear this news…so very hard to lose family members, however, so much harder during the holiday season. Sending prayers!
GARY AND PAT HELM says
so sorry to hear about fred and Shirley. our hearts go out to the family and we will be praying for you in this time of need. god bless you all.
Sherm Weimer says
I got to know Fred through his work on the Council on Aging. He was truly one of the kindest and most caring individuals I have ever known. He was concerned about services for the elderly, and did whatever he could to help out. His passing is a loss for the Miles City community, and he will be missed.
Jannell Hedstrom says
Fred and Shirley….you will be missed. I feel so heart broke knowing I won’t be able to see your smiling face and knowing your not going stop me to chat with me when ever I see you. You always had the time to stop and talk. And always making sure to ask me how I am, my family, my parents, my Aunt. We will miss seeing your face around here taking the time out when your out and about visiting your friends and making their day a little better!! You and Shirley were some amazing, caring, friendly people and always had time for others. So very kind. Thank you for blessing my life. And thank you for all the hearts you have touched. I wish you knew that!!
Jack and Sharon Hedstrom also are sending their thoughts and prayers and know they thought a lot about you and Shirley. Mom called me crying. And are with you and your family in spirit.
God Bless you all and many prayers!!
HUGS!!
Greg Berger says
Molly, Marie, Georgia and Michael,
I remember your folks quite well during the square dance era of the 70’s as all of us kids would be playing and running around together. Your folks were always so kind and full of energy and that continued for as long as I knew them. My heartfelt condolences are sent to you all and may the Lord give you all strength during this difficult time.
Kathy Aakre Ruddy says
Molly, Marie, Georgia and Michael,
I was so sorry to hear of your parents passing. I remember you all as kids in Brockway and my heart goes out to you at this time. May the Lord Bless you and give you all the strength you need during this time. Best wishes always.
Nova says
My heart goes out to you Marie, Molly and your whole family. Many of my cherished memories of growing up in Brockway include Fred & Shirley while staying overnight with Marie.
I have Tears for your Pain, Laughter for the Memories, & Love for All of you!!!
Barbara Ashley says
Thoughts and prayers to your family. Georgia, KB and Gracie My heart goes out to you at this time. I did not know your mother but you father was a patient when I worked at the VA- He was such a kind person, I enjoyed always visiting with him. My Aunt Ruth and I went on a Charlie Russel Train Trip and the only person I knew on the trip was your dad and It was a wonderful trip and I am so glad to have known you Dad. Love to all – Barb Ashley –
Debbie (Bond) Wagner says
Prayers and thoughts to all of you with your loss. I have many memories of your family growing up in Brockway.
Pat Franklin says
Dear Molly, Button and family so sorry for the loss of your parents. Sending hugs your way!
Cindy Stanton says
Molly & family – my condolences for the loss of your parents. They were always so very kind and will be missed by so many. Fred was the softest spoken man I’ve ever met.
May God give you all peace and comfort.
TRussell Pederson& Family says
dear Thoeny Family,
very sad to hear of Fred& Shirley’s passing. Know that our thoughts and prayers are with you. Your parents were always good to me. Fred would usually be my first Winter wheat spraying job of the year. I was always happy to hear his voice on the phone because he was always straight to the point and never complained about anything was easy to keep happy and always thanked me for getting his spraying done. never knew Shirley very well, most of my contact with them was through Fred. They both will be missed by more folks than they would guess. God Bless you all, carry on as your folks would want.
Pat Smith says
Henry, Matt, Simmy and Annie, So sorry to hear of Fred’s passing, he was always such a caring person.
Pat (Wolff) Smith; Brockway / Sonnette Mt
Marty and Jeanette O'Dea says
Our deepest sympathies to all of Fred and Shirleys family. We enjoyed both of them very much they were super nice and kind people. So sorry for your loss
Robin Wolff says
I was saddened to hear of the death of both Shirley and Fred. Although I didn’t know them well, they were good friends of my parents, Robert and Anna Wolff, who especially enjoyed having them in Miles City where they all retired. My sympathies are with all their children and grandchildren at this time of sorrow.