Shirley Ann Ungefug

Mom got the call that God was ready for her and she left us to be with our Lord and Savior on Dec. 3, 2016, surrounded by her family and Pastor Jim Darchuk.

Shirley Ann Waters (Ungefug) was born on Oct. 17, 1933, in Red Lodge, to Milt and Annie Waters. She was raised in Luther and Red Lodge, where she graduated from high school.

She met and married the love of her life, Carl Edward Ungefug "Ed," in Red Lodge on Oct. 17, 1953, after Eddy returned from a tour of duty with the United States Navy. They were married on her birthday so Dad only had one date to remember. They lived in many towns all over Montana with the telephone construction division of Mountain Bell. Shirley finally settled in Billings to raise the children, Sherry and Ray, while Ed continued to travel. The family spent weekends camping and fishing, leading to many cherished memories and funny stories.

She was a Girl Scout leader, a nursery school teacher and a bookkeeper for the Yellowstone Racquet Club, Smalleys Floral and Roto-Rooter.

When Shirley and Ed retired, they enjoyed RVing and traveling (cruising was a favorite). They made friends all over, cherishing each and every one of them. They moved into West Park Village in 2012. After Ed passed away on Jan. 6, 2014, Mom became very busy with card games, bingo, Wii bowling and puzzles. She always chuckled about being on the Food Committee. She never missed an opportunity to join a social event. She loved the new friends she made and the staff of West Park Village. Because of this, it required the family to only call her after 9 p.m. and to schedule an afternoon with her when nothing else was going on. One of her favorites was the Tuesday Morning Breakfast Group with the dearest of old friends from the phone company and attending church at the King of Glory Lutheran Church.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Wes Waters; a sister, Katherine Cox; and her beloved husband, Eddy. She is survived by her daughter, Sherry (Ray J.) Stroh; her son, Ray (Laura) Ungefug; and three grandchildren, Russ (Kristen) Clark, Levi (Vanessa) Clark and Emily Ungefug. She was truly blessed with five great-grandchildren these last years: Dora and Charlie Clark (Levi and Vanessa) and Madeleine Clark, Jacquelynn and Ian Wise (Russ and Kristen). She also had three very special nephews: Ken, Steve and Bill Cox.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the nurses and doctors of the Billings Clinic Hospital, especially Dr. Dennis O'Brien and Dr. Catherine Stephens for their compassion and the care they gave Mom and her family.

A celebration of life will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, at the King of Glory Lutheran Church, 4125 Grand Ave.

Memorials may be sent to the King of Glory or a charity of your choice.