Shelley Bozarth

Shelley Catherine Bozarth (Gram), age 88, of Richardton, ND, formerly of Miles City, MT, passed away on Saturday, March 1, 2025 at her home North of Richardton.

Shelley was born in Mildred, MT on June 3, 1936. She was the youngest child of John H. and Martha A. (Kittelson) Schneider. She grew up and attended grade school in Mildred. After the school in Mildred closed, Shelley continued high school in Terry, MT.

Shelley married Gerald Bozarth in 1953. Together, they had four children: Terry, Glenda Gaye, Debbie, and Rita. After living in Terry and Jordan, they made their home in Miles City until their divorce. Shelley raised her children while working at Holy Rosary hospital in Miles City as supervisor to the kitchen, and later, supervisor of housekeeping.

In 1977, she moved to Seattle, Washington to be with her companion, Ed Jones. In 1980, they moved to Shepherd Montana, where together they built a log cabin house (that she would still talk fondly of), and later to Billings. While there, Shelley was employed at the Deaconess Hospital as supervisor of housekeeping, where she made many good friends.

In 1994, they made the move to Miles City, where they could be closer to many of the grandchildren, which Shelley loved. She loved to spoil her grandchildren and enjoyed watching them in sports and other school activities. Later, Shelley decided that she didn’t have enough to do and worked at the Washington Middle School in the cafeteria.

Shelley moved in with her daughter and son-in-law (Debbie and Duane) in 2010. This move allowed her to spend summers at her childhood home in Mildred, where she took great pride in fixing up the house and making the yard beautiful. Many friends, family, and random people passing through on the gravel road would stop and visit to admire her work.

Shelley had many talents; a great cook and baker, master gardener who had a green thumb and waged war on weeds! She was an expert seamstress, making and repairing clothing for her family. She also created many cross stitch and needle point wall decorations for her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Shelley loved many things in life, her family, friends, and animals. She had many diferent animals throughout her life, all of which were so spoiled! She was a music lover as well and enjoyed singing in the choir at First Baptist Church in Miles City and played the piano in her spare time. You could often see Shelley playing cards, or any game for that matter. She was never one to say no to a game, especially when her grandchildren or great grandchildren asked her to play. She also enjoyed many different live concerts with friends and family.

Shelley is survived by her children: Terry Bozarth of Billings, MT, Debbie (Duane) Maier and Rita Nicholson (Mark). Her grandchildren; Dana Opp, Katie (Josh) Forsgren, Dax (Beth) Muri, Darin Muri, Jessica (Mike) Kirkpatrick, and Angela (Tim) Nicholson-Shaw. Great grandchildren Tailey Muri, Carter and Dylan Opp, Elliott and Bennet Kirkpatrick, and Eloise and Madeline Nicholson-Shaw. She is also survived by her brother, Ray (Lyda) Schneider, son-in-law, Rob Muri, her special niece Jackie Harmon, and her beloved dog, Scrappy. Shelley is also survived by many other family members and friends.

Shelley was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Mary (Bob) Zehm, Eleanor (Alvin) Schmidt, her daughter, Gaye Muri, great grandson, Orin Muri, the love of her life, Ed Jones, and her special niece and nephew, Marshall and Caroline, along with many other friends and family that she is now reunited with.

A Funeral Service will be held at the First Baptist Church at 914 Palmer in Miles City, MT on Saturday, May 31, 2025, at 11:00 am. A private burial will be held later in Mildred, per Shelley’s wishes. Memorials can be made in Shelley's name to the Orin Muri Memorial Fund at Stockman Bank, or to your local animal shelter.