Shirley June Nelsen

Shirley June Nelsen 72, passed away Wednesday, July 7 at the Life Care Center in Sandpoint, Idaho. Shirley was born June 22, 1938 in Bowbells, North Dakota the third child of George and Edna Hattel. The family moved to Spokane, Washington while Shirley was still quite young. She graduated from Lewis and Clark High School in 1956 and married Gary Nelsen in August of the same year. In 1969 Shirley and Gary with their children moved to Noxon, Montana where they bought a grocery store, the Nelsen Mercantile. They were in business for many years becoming very involved in the community. Everyone who knew Shirley said what an incredibly wonderful and caring person she was. Over the years she was involved in many kinds of activities. She was a leader in both the Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts. She was a member of the Noxon Homemakers. Shirley liked to bowl, golf and in recent years became involved in square dancing. She also enjoyed traveling, camping, hiking and picking huckleberries. Shirley was very devoted to her children and her companion of the past fifteen years, Leonard Thacker. Perhaps her greatest joy was being together with her children and grandchildren. Shirley is survived by her children Rick Nelsen of Spokane, WA; Bryan Nelsen of Billings, MT Cheryl Johnson of Trout Creek, MT and Jamie Nelsen of Sandpoint, ID as well as nine grand children and two great-grand children. A memorial service is planned for Friday, July 16 11:00 am mountain time at the Community Methodist Church in Noxon with a potluck to follow at the Noxon Fire Hall. In lieu of flowers donations can be sent in Shirley's name to the American Cancer Society.