Shirley Ann Piper

Shirley Ann Olson Piper passed away on April 14, 2025. She was born on July 20, 1931, to Edwin and Mabel Olson, in Worthington, Minnesota. Growing up on a farm with her parents and her brother Ned, she attended country school through 8th grade and graduated from WHS in 1949. She graduated from Worthington Junior College in 1951 and Gustavus Adolphus College in 1953. Shirley worked for The Equitable Life Assurance Society in Omaha where she met Samuel David Piper (Dave or Red to most of you) and followed him to Harlowton, Montana. They got married in 1957. Dave worked at his uncle’s variety store (later Gally’s) and Shirley worked at The Continental National Bank until their daughter, Beth, was born. Shirley then managed the household, and Dave got a job at the bank. Blake came along four years later.

Shirley enjoyed reading magazines, even though she had poor eyesight her entire life. She eventually moved to audiobooks. Shirley enjoyed attending banking conventions with Dave, and other trips with Dave and Margit Paulsen, a long-time, close friend she met while living in Omaha. Shirley was good with numbers all her life and would even “show off” at doctor appointments in her 90s.

For many years with the wind howling, Dave would drive Shirley and her Harlo friend Darlene Ness out west of town, drop them off, and they’d blow back to town. Many drivers stopped and asked if they needed a ride, but Shirley and Darlene were doing this on purpose!

After Dave retired from the bank (1992), they moved to Billings (1993). This is where Shirley and Dave became grandparents. Jordan was born in 1999 and Allison in 2002. She was always so interested in their schooling and how they were doing. They also loved to babysit Kate and Vic Lewis when their parents came to “the city.” Shirley originally moved to assisted living in 2014 and most recently lived at St. John’s Liggett Cottage.

Shirley is preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, her parents, her brother, and close friends Darlene and Margit. She is survived by daughter Beth, son Blake (Kim), grandchildren Jordan and Allison, sister-in-law and close friend Peggy Ingram, and close friend Kay Martin. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to a charity of your choice.

Cremation has taken place. Services will be held at 1 pm on May 3rd at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary, 1001 Alderson Ave, Billings. Interment will follow at Yellowstone Valley Memorial Park, 3605 Grand Avenue.