William M. Shunk

William Monte Shunk passed away peacefully at Bozeman Deaconess Hospital, Sept. 16, 2008. He shared his last hours with family and old ranch friends.

Born in Conrad on Sept. 29, 1929, Bill spent his 82 years with us both as student and teacher of life. Bill is best remembered for his many years on the Flying D/Spanish Creek ranch. At age 11 he began spending summers on the ranch working for his uncle, Frank Stone, who managed the ranch. After graduating high school in 1943, he went to work on the ranch until he retired in 1998.

Bill also served as a corporal in the U.S. Army from 1950 to 1952; after his discharge he remained an active member of the V.F.W, Post 903, and the American Legion, Post 14.

In 1972, he married Miriam Price Burgener with whom he shared his life until her death in 2001.

If there were a job to be done, something to be figured out, or someone who just needed a helping hand, we could always count on Bill. He started his days as a cowboy on the ranch with scrounged chaps and tack and a borrowed saddle from Johnny Flowers. He built his home at Four Corners from logs he cut and peeled himself. He was well-known at the Cow Camp bunkhouse for making his own western shirts; and in later years, he took up knitting slippers for the veteran's home in Glendive and shared many of his memories and photographs of life on the ranch. Bill taught us many life lessons about working hard, helping out and doing the right thing for others. He will be missed by many but will live on in the fond memories he left us and in the good deeds he taught us.

Bill is preceded in death by his father, Reynold A. Shunk; his mother, Louise Stone Shunk; and his wife, Miriam.

He is survived by his brother, Reynold Shunk II, of Red Lodge; sister, Mary Hespen of Bozeman; and brothers, Dwight Shunk of Punta Arenas, Chile, and Edward Shunk of Tijeras, N.M. He is also survived by numerous nephews and nieces, including niece, Christine Lamb of Bozeman; grandniece, Rachael Oretgo of Bozeman; grandnephew, William Van Horn of Bozeman; and niece, Louise Englestad of Rapid City, S.D. He was loved and admired by Miriam's children: Judy Wilson of Rocky River, Ohio; Lynn Burgener of Brewster, Wash.; Kelly Burgener of Powell, Wyo.; and Donna Shumway of Ralston, Wyo.

Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, Sept. 22, at Meadowview Cemetery in Manhattan. A reception celebrating Bill's life will be held at the Manhattan Senior Center immediately following the service. Anyone who wishes to accompany the family to Meadowview, may join us at Dahl Funeral Home by 1 p.m.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in his name to Bozeman Deaconess Hospice, 915 Highland Blvd., Bozeman 59715; or to a charity of choice.

Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.dahlcares.com.