Anna Rose (Freier) Shelstad

Anna Rose (Freier) Shelstad

Anna Rose (Freier) Shelstad, age 73, passed away in Elko, Nev., on Jan. 3, 2011.

Born in Havre, Mont., she was raised by her father in Box Elder, Mont., on the family wheat farm. She was preceded in death by her mother, Mathilda Philippi Freier; father. John Freier; six older brothers; sisters-in-law; and a nephew.

Anna is survived by older brothers, Herbert Freier of Havre and Donald Freier of Billings, Mont. ; daughter, Rhonda (Shelstad) Raine; grandchildren, Jim and Tara Raine, of Elko; and son and daughter-in-law, Keith and Rosalita Shelstad of Eagan, Minn.

After graduating in 1955, from Box Elder High School, as salutatorian of her class, she went on to further her education. Anna received her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing through the Montana State College nursing program at the Deaconess Hospital in Great Falls. Anna continued using her nursing skills in various ways until retiring in 2008.

In 1959, Anna, along with two other nursing buddies, Angela (James) Eldridge and Patricia (Bakken) Christophersen, became the first three women to join the Montana Air National Guard, commissioned as second lieutenants. Their duties were as nurses in the MANG. They traveled and enjoyed themselves greatly during this time. She resigned her commission in 1961.

She married Marlan Shelstad, of Minnesota in 1961, in New Mexico, where he was stationed at the U. S. Army Base of White Sands Missile Range. Shortly after he was discharched in 1962, they moved to Minnesota where they raised their two children for the next 22 years.

Anna moved to Flagstaff, Ariz., for a few years, then to Espanola, N.M., for about 16 years, before moving to Elko in November 2008. Coming full circle, from born and raised in the West, living in the Midwest for many years, than back to the West, she has found her peace.

A memorial service in Elko for family and friends is yet to be announced. Anna's wishes were to be buried in Havre, and will be so later this year, with family and friends in attendance.

Anna Rose (Freier) Shelstad, age 73, passed away in Elko, Nev., on Jan. 3, 2011.

Born in Havre, Mont., she was raised by her father in Box Elder, Mont., on the family wheat farm. She was preceded in death by her mother, Mathilda Philippi Freier; father. John Freier; six older brothers; sisters-in-law; and a nephew.

Anna is survived by older brothers, Herbert Freier of Havre and Donald Freier of Billings, Mont. ; daughter, Rhonda (Shelstad) Raine; grandchildren, Jim and Tara Raine, of Elko; and son and daughter-in-law, Keith and Rosalita Shelstad of Eagan, Minn.

After graduating in 1955, from Box Elder High School, as salutatorian of her class, she went on to further her education. Anna received her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing through the Montana State College nursing program at the Deaconess Hospital in Great Falls. Anna continued using her nursing skills in various ways until retiring in 2008.

In 1959, Anna, along with two other nursing buddies, Angela (James) Eldridge and Patricia (Bakken) Christophersen, became the first three women to join the Montana Air National Guard, commissioned as second lieutenants. Their duties were as nurses in the MANG. They traveled and enjoyed themselves greatly during this time. She resigned her commission in 1961.

She married Marlan Shelstad, of Minnesota in 1961, in New Mexico, where he was stationed at the U. S. Army Base of White Sands Missile Range. Shortly after he was discharched in 1962, they moved to Minnesota where they raised their two children for the next 22 years.

Anna moved to Flagstaff, Ariz., for a few years, then to Espanola, N.M., for about 16 years, before moving to Elko in November 2008. Coming full circle, from born and raised in the West, living in the Midwest for many years, than back to the West, she has found her peace.

A memorial service in Elko for family and friends is yet to be announced. Anna's wishes were to be buried in Havre, and will be so later this year, with family and friends in attendance.