Shirley Schillinger

A funeral service for Shirley Ann Schillinger, 87, of Vida, MT will be held at 10 a. m. Friday, September 9 at the First Lutheran Church in Circle. Interment will follow at the Vida Cemetery. Visitation for Shirley will be held from 5 p. m. until 7 p. m. Thursday, September 8 at the Stevenson and Son’s Funeral Home in Circle. Shirley passed away on September 5, 2016 at the family farm of natural causes. She was born on March 23, 1929 the daughter of Arnold and Jenny (Johnson) Njaa in Glendive, Montana. Shirley’s mother passed away when she was in the first grade and she was raised by her aunt in Helena. She graduated from Circle High School in 1946 and was valedictorian. She attended nurses training at MSU and Billings Deaconess. On June 9, 1947 she married Allan Schillinger where they lived on the family farm in the Vida area. To this union three children were born – Don, Jim, and Dianne. Shirley was a member of the local homemakers club and enjoyed being a part of her different bridge clubs. Her greatest joy was her family. Allan and Shirley put on many miles to attend their children and grandchildren’s many school and sports activities. They attended Griz games and met many other player’s parents. She was especially proud of watching her sons playing for the Circle Wildcats as they won the 1965 basketball state B title, as well as their future endeavors coaching for the Baker Spartans. Shirley enjoyed following her grandchildren as Circle Wildcats, Baker Spartans, UND Fighting Sioux, DSU Blue Hawks, Montana Grizzlies, and Atlanta Falcons. She was also an avid Minnesota Twins fan. They were able to attend their grandchildren’s weddings and watch their family grow. She especially enjoyed family gatherings. Shirley was a lifetime member of the First Lutheran Church of Circle. Survivors include her husband, Allan of Vida, sons, Don (Nancy) Schillinger of Baker, Jim (Debi) Schillinger of Circle and daughter, Dianne (Wade) Sukut of Circle. Eight grandchildren, Shawna Schillinger of Baker, Kelli Sebestyen of Helena, Michelle Mehling of Fargo, Brandy Greff of Bismarck, Jace Schillinger of Dickinson, Shann Schillinger of Missoula, Nicole Keysor of Sidney, and Brent Sukut of Sidney. Shirley had 8 great grandsons, 7 great granddaughters, and her sisters-in-law, Joan Goodale and Beverly Schillinger. She was preceded in death by her parents, her first grandchild, Nikki Schillinger, and son-in-law, Wade Sukut.


Burial Date: September 8, 2016

Visitation: Thursday: Stevenson and Son’s Funeral Home, Circle, MT