Nona Kirkwood

Funeral Service for Nona Dean Kirkwood, 90, of Ekalaka, MT will be 11:00 a. m. Wednesday, February 21, 2007 at the Ekalaka Bible Church in Ekalaka, MT with Pastor Wallace Fox officiating. Interment will follow in the Beaver Lodge Cemetery at Ekalaka, MT. Nona passed away Saturday, February 17, 2007 at Dahl Memorial Healthcare Nursing Home in Ekalaka, MT. Nona Dean Shelden Kirkwood was born on July 4, 1916, a daughter of Raymond Banks and Nona Belle (Morse) Shelden in Belle Fourche, SD. Before the age of two, Nona and her family moved from Belle Fourche to Ekalaka, MT. Nona grew up in Ekalaka where she attended Ekalaka public schools graduating from Carter County High School in 1934. Nona went to Sunday school and Vacation Bible School at the Congregational Church in Ekalaka. She was an active member of the Youth Groups, the Christian Endeavor and later the Pilgrim Fellowship. At the young age of 14, Nona started teaching Sunday school and continued for many years. Nona?s passion for teaching grew. Due to financial difficulties, she was unable to attend college. For the joy of learning, she re-entered high school for post-graduate work for half a year. Nona met William ?Bill? Kirkwood, and the two were married on May 20, 1935 in Ekalaka. To this union Marcella, Florence, Beth and Raymond were born. In the summer of 1953, Nona began attending Black Hills State in Spearfish, SD. Later that fall she began her life dream of becoming a teacher. Every year for the next eleven years, she attended summer school at Black Hills State and taught school during the regular school year. In 1963, Nona earned her degree in Elementary Education. Nona taught school in Western and Northern Montana as well as Miles City, Plevna and Carter County. In 1971, Nona reached another plateau in her career, becoming Carter County Superintendent of Schools. Nona enjoyed pottery, painting, gardening, sewing clothes and quilts, crocheting, playing cards and reading ?so many books, but so little time?! Her real joy was her passion for teaching, but her greatest love was for her family and her service to her Lord. She was a member of the Kappa Delta Pi, a National Scholastic Society, a member of the Carter County Geological Society, Carter County Chamber of Commerce, VFW Auxiliary 7885, MEA and NEA, Carter County Republican Party and the Congregational Church Ladies Aid. Nona is survived by her children, Marcella (Lloyd) Meldrum, Beaverton, OR; Beth (Larry) Dean, Ekalaka, MT; Raymond (Sandra) Kirkwood, Ekalaka, MT; one sister, Laura Mae Vie, Mercedes, TX; a sister-in-law, Helena Shelden, Lander, WY; 11 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; 3 step-great-grandchildren and 4 step- great-great grandchildren. Her parents, Raymond and Nona Belle Shelden, her daughter, Florence Walker, brothers; Angier Shelden, Marshall Shelden, Bruce Shelden and sister; Margaret Munro preceded her in death. Memorials in Nona?s memory may be made to the Carter County Museum Building Fund.


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Burial Date: February 21, 2007
Funeral Home Ekalaka, MT

Funeral: Wednesday, Ekalaka Bible Church