Shirley Elaine Cartmell Thompson went to see her Dear Lord and Savior in Heaven on April 6, 2020, after a long illness of Dementia Alzheimer’s at the Eastern Montana Veteran’s Home.
Shirley was born on November 27, 1938, in Glendive Montana to Lawrence and Anna Huffman Cartmell. Being raised and educated in the Golden Valley School near her home in Bloomfield and then lived in Glendive during the week to attend High School at Dawson County High School. A dance came to town and that is where she met this handsome young man just out of the United States Air Force. He came to Glendive for the dance too, and they started dating and in a short time, fell in love, and she married Dale Wayne Thompson on June 7, 1958. They moved around a bit, living in Glasgow and Sidney then moved back to Glendive before moving to Miles City. In 1969 they moved the family to Terry to start his own restaurant which was the Roy Rogers Café. They worked very long hours, Dale was the chef/cook and Shirley was the baker/bookkeeper along with being in charge of the waitresses. Shirley cleaned the bar and several old ladies homes and took care of elderly, giving home care service to make ends meet. In 1983, Dale and Shirley moved to Glendive to help Shirley’s parents on their farm, mostly during the busy times of the year.
Shirley loved baking pastries, cakes, cookies and pies for Bairs Truck Stop/Trail Star, and Montana Inn, Town Skillet, and Holiday Inn/ Best Western. Shirley enjoyed dancing Chemileskie’s , Square Dancing, and enjoyed listening to Elvis Presley and Lawrence Welk, doing two-steps, Polka, Schottda, until her disease progressed, you could always find her having a good time. Shirley always had a green thumb, she enjoyed gardening and doing flowers, other things she enjoyed were canning, processing the hunted meat they lived on, baking pies, cookies, cakes, and desserts, for each family member’s birthdays and parties. Something she was very good at and enjoyed!
Shirley worked several years cleaning houses, and babysitting for many prominent people in Glendive and some not so, but she loved children and was good with little kids. Shirley doted on her children and grandchildren. When Shirley became ill her daughters Connie and LaRae helped her stay in her own home as long as they could but eventually due to health reasons Shirley had to move to an assisted living center. Up until her time of death, she lived many years at a couple of assisted living and rest homes.
Shirley leaves behind her children: Carol (Joe) McNaney of Richardton ND, Wayne (Brenda) Thompson of Helena MT, Connie (Keith) Carver of Glendive, MT, LaRae (Keith) Russell of Glendive, MT; her sister Marilyn Goosen, of Phoenix, AZ ( Delamar deaceased) and brother Larry (Deb) Cartmell of Bloomfield, MT and numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren and three Great-Great Grandchildren, to numerous to name them all and many friends, and family.
She was preceded in death by: her husband Dale Wayne Thompson in 1992, her parents Lawrence and Anna Cartmell, a son Lawrence Thompson in 1991.
Mom: you will be truly missed. Your smile, your caring touch, your backhand, and swat on the butt. And don’t forget, the dawn dishwashing liquid even, and still, you will be missed, truly. Rest in Peace ~Mom.
Private Family Graveside Services will be held on Friday, April 10, 2020 at the Dawson Memorial Cemetery in Glendive. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
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Service Schedule
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Becky Tipton says
Connie and Family I’m so sorry for the loss of your mom! Cherish your memories and hold them Close they will help get you through the difficult days ahead.
Becky
Delite Dukart says
Wayne & family, so sorry to hear about your mom. Take care and hope to see you some year for our class reunion.
Kathryn West says
So sorry for your loss. Thinking of you during this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Kathy (Hinnaland) West
Wendy says
Carol, Connie, LaRae & families, So sorry to hear about Shirley’s passing. Such a sweet & caring lady that did so much for so many. Whether it be a meal, a place to stay, a caring, listening ear, babysitter & so much more. She will be missed. You are in my thoughts & prayers,
Connie Carver says
Thank you all for your kind words and Just knowing that Shirley will be remembered, it in itself a comfort. and knowing it has been coming for a long time.. it is a little easier, to accept her passing. She will truly be missed by me.. for sure! Please be safe, stay Healthy, and never forget… R.I.P. MOM.
Thank you all for the Prayers.. I need them… ALL!
Connie Carver
Carole J. Diede says
Connie and family,
I am sorry to hear about the passing of your mom. Losing a parent is so tough to go through. Your mom was well-loved! Blessings upon all of you.
Les and Gina Tipton says
Connie, Carol, LaRae, Wayne and families. Oh man the memories over the years. The family holiday get togethers, the brandings, harvests, weddings, and sadly the funerals. No matter where we were or what was going on it was always about the family. Times have changed but the memories will all live on for us. Hugs and prayers to each and everyone of you. Shirley, you were a very special lady that with you leaving will leave a hole in many hearts. Now you can meet everyone that has went before you. RIP Shirley you have earned your wings.
Connie Carver says
Thank you all for saying your comments on here.. I just know she is a peace.. and not suffering any more. I Have many memories. that will never be forgotten. I just pray she can rest and be with her Dear Lord and Savior and all of the family members that were before her..
my little truck still wants to go out there. then I remember, nope. not no more.. I know she was a Godly woman. who would never turn anyone away in need of a meal. or help,
Connie and Keith
Kris Ruddy says
The Clyde Thompson family (Dale’s brother) wishes to extend our sympathies for the loss of your Mom. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Deeon says
So sorry about your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Deeon and Mike Bickle