Shirley Magnus

1935 - 2024

Shirley Magnus

December 15, 1935 - September 7, 2024

SHERIDAN - It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Shirley Lee Magnus, who departed this life on September 7, 2024. She was 88 years young.

Shirley was born on the Redfield family homestead ranch house seven miles south of Twin Bridges. She was the fifth child born to Ralph and Clara Redfield. She went to school at Twin Bridges School and graduated in 1954. She married her high school sweetheart, handsome Sheridan boy, John Magnus.Their life time adventure began raising their three children and working mining camps and prospecting for gold in and around the mountains of Montana. They were married for 65 years. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandma and great-grandma who loved her family fiercely, rarely missing a sporting event and always making everyone feel special on their birthday. She loved to tell stories about her growing up years and loved to laugh. In her youth she was a skilled horse rider.

Shirley will be remembered for her kindness, thoughtfulness, generosity and steadfastness. She read her Bible everyday and loved the Lord. She had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to tease. She could plan and host big family gatherings at her home, serving wonderful meals and her legendary banana bars. Nothing brought her more joy than having all her family together for card parties and holidays. She enjoyed trips south in her camper with John to Las Vegas and Laughlin to play slots and 21 and seemed to always have a bit of the Lady Luck on her side. She could cut a rug with the best of them and spent many years clogging with the Butte Silver Bow Stompers. She was known for her fashionable outfits and beautiful jewelry and always looked her best, often hearing she didn't look (or act) her age.

She cherished her lunches and time with childhood cousins-friends, Louise Butts Burk and Kaye Butts Guinanne.

She is already deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. Shirley is survived by her children: Marilyn Walter (Tom), Michael Magnus (Susan) and John Magnus Jr. (Angie); grandchildren: Gayle Lee Walter, Michael Walter (Shaleena), Shelly Higgins (Patrick), Jake (John the III) Magnus (Katie), Jonathan Walter (Yera) and Ryan Evans. Also surviving her, brother, Bob (Robert) and wife, Eileen Redfield, and 14 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents: Ralph and Clara; her husband, John Magnus Sr.; sisters: Penny (Phyllis), Pat (Ruth) and Betty; brothers: Bud (Ralph Jr.) and Keith; granddaughter, Jennifer Magnus.

A graveside service will be held on Thursday, September 12, at 1:00 p.m. at Taylor Hill Cemetery in Alder, Montana, with a reception following at the Alder Community Center in Alder, MT.

The family extends their heartfelt thanks to the nursing staff of Missoula Community Medical Center, for their compassionate care and support during this time. In the event of inclement weather, services will be held at the Alder Community Center.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Sheridan Senior Center.