SHELLY LYNN LONGFOX obituary

HAYS - Shelly Lynn (Fortune) Longfox, 44, of Hays, formerly of Miles City, died Sunday, July 4, 2004, at Benefis East hospital in Great Falls of multiple organ failure.

A wake service will begin at 7 p.m. today at the Medicine Bear Lodge in Lodge Pole. A funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Medicine Bear Lodge, with interment in the Longfox Family Cemetery at the family ranch.

Shelly was born in Quinn, S.D., on July 2, 1960, the daughter of Vern and Wildene (White) Fortune. In 1962, she moved with her family from South Dakota to the family ranch near Miles City, where she loved raising her 4-H steers and working cattle. She attended Garland Country School and graduated from Custer County High School. Following her schooling, she remained in Miles City, where she worked with racehorses and met and married Leon Longfox. They made their home in Billings and, in 1996, they moved to Hays.

Shelly loved to do crafts, work in her flower gardens, and tell jokes. She was very encouraging and supporting of her children and their activities - Morgann with her piano lessons, basketball and Indian dancing, and Brandon with his FFA, rodeo and football. Shelly truly loved all of her nieces and nephews. She took pride in being a homemaker and ranch woman. She enjoyed volunteering for many activities in her community.

Shelly was preceded in death by her grandparents; a sister, Denise Fortune; a brother, Todd Fortune; a stepson, Leon Longfox Jr., a brother-in-law, Bill Pauley; and a niece, Abby Jo Michal.

Shelly is survived by her husband, Leon of Hays; her son, Brandon, and her daughter, Morgann; both of Hays; her mother, Wildene Fortune of Miles City; her father and stepmother, Vern and Bea Fortune of Kyle, S.D.; her grandmother, Vernice White of Miles City; sisters, Susan (Ron) Wells of Miles City; Janice Fortune of Billings; Cathy (Lee) Baugatz of Miles City; Darcy (Les) Boggs of Baker; and Stacy (Stacy) Butts of Billings; stepchildren, Kelly Longfox and Kathy (Ron) Poast of Council Bluffs, Iowa, Tammy (Steve) Kelsch of Beulah, N.D., Bobbi Zueger of Bismarck, N.D., Shawn Duckett of Billings, Terri Longfox of Billings; and nine stepgrandchildren.

Memorials may be made to the charity of one's choice.

Adams Funeral Home of Malta is in charge of arrangements