Obituary - Shirley K. (Brekke) Muller

The most devoted couple has been reunited after a long 10-month separation. Shirley K. (Brekke) Muller lost her battle with Parkinson's disease and a broken heart Wednesday, August 14, 2024.

Shirley was born as the first child to Art and Hazel Brekke in Clark, SD on January 5, 1944. She grew up in the Clark and Bradley area of SD. In 1955, the Brekke family moved to Hingham, MT. Soon after, they moved to Havre where she graduated from Havre HS. It was in Hingham that she met her sister-of-the-heart, Joyce Ann (Anderson) Borlaug. The summer of her sophomore year of HS she met the love of her life. The handsome Jim Muller rode/pushed his motorcycle to his friend's house and into her heart. They were married in Hingham a month after her HS graduation in 1962.

Shirley doted on her three children, Janet, Janice and John. She showed her love through cooking, baking and reading bedtime stories every night. She attended every ball game and track meet in which her kids participated. She cheered even if she had no clue if the team was on offense or defense, as long as one of them was playing. Birthdays included a favorite meal of choice and a day of indulgence. She made sure all three learned to swim, something she could never achieve herself.

When Jim went to work for the Hingham Farmers' Elevator and John started school, Shirley became the secretary. She and Jim moved to Rudyard in 1981, and she became the office manager for the Columbia Grain Elevator. She and Jim worked as a team for over 25 years at the elevators. Rarely were they apart.

Shirley never left the house without being "put together." She was always dressed in sparkly clothes, wore coordinating jewelry with her hair and makeup done. Many times they were late due to her fastidiousness in being coordinated. Jim declared her beautiful each and every time. True to her spirit of always being in season, her house was decorated inside and out for every holiday. She had a room in the basement dedicated to all the holiday decorations.

In Hingham, Shirley was active in the church being on the Alter Society and teaching CCD classes. She participated in Relay-for-Life for many years as both a team captain and co-coordinator for the event. Shirley's Ceramic Shop was the creative outlet for many people on the Hi-Line. She opened her basement to sessions on Tuesday and Thursday evenings for several years. Many weekends during the winter, both she and Jim were found painting various items for Christmas gifts for family and friends. They made dozens of the lighted Christmas trees now considered "retro." After retirement, she and Jim enjoyed traveling to MN to visit relatives. These trips sparked her interest in genealogy, leading to files of obituary clippings and many photos of headstones. Her volunteering at the Rudyard Museum was an extension of this interest. The folks always looked forward to their trips to AZ in the winter to see Joyce and Monte. When both Janice and John lived across the divide, she would tolerate trips to visit, but she breathed a sigh of relief once they were back on the open prairie. Trees were not her friend. During the summer, trips to Janice's cabin at Rock Creek were eagerly planned so Shirley could clean more of the forest.

Shirley was overjoyed to become a grandma. She loved spending time with them and making "poor kid" cookies. Late night rescues were her specialty. Each year, the 23 days gift tradition was shared by the grandsons and their friends with anticipation. The title of Grandma was replaced by GG with the birth of her first great-grandchild. She loved the addition of "great" and was so excited to see her latest great earlier this year.

Moving first to Chester and then to Billings due to health issues was a big challenge for both of them. Leaving family and friends on the Hi-Line was incredibly hard. The care they received at Autumn Springs was wonderful. There, they made new friends in Pat and Jack. Pat's kindness and gentle manner along with Jack's stories were just the antidote for homesickness. Stillwater Hospice was tremendous for Shirley in the last week. Having the same compassionate team as Jim helped her join him peacefully.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, Art and Hazel Brekke; her devoted husband of 61 years, Jim; and her sister-of-the-heart, Joyce Borlaug.

Shirley is survived by her three children and their families: Janet (Jack) Trethewey, grandson Justin (Ashlee Johnson) and great-grandson Tavin; Janice (Darrell Johnson) Muller, grandson Kyle (Marisa Rivera) Kohn and great-granddaughter Rokki, and grandson Kameron (Cheslea Martello) Kohn; John (Christine) Muller, granddaughter Ashli (Michael Cruse) Young, great grandchildren Kalee, Rylee, Brian, Laney and Ethan, granddaughter Ami Johnson, grandson Haden (Brandy) Johnson and great-grandson Cooper, and grandson Justin Meltzian. She is also survived by her siblings and their spouses, Gary and Kathy Brekke, Sue and Dick Hansen, Sharon and Tony Watson, Dick and Joan Brekke, and Shelly and John Schnitzmeier. Other survivors include numerous nieces and nephews, a special cousin, Darlene Bailey, and her friends Sharon Spicher, Pat Kelly and Jack Martinell.

Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held at Our Lady of Ransom Catholic Church in Hingham August 31, 2004 at 11 am with luncheon to follow. Internment of Jim and Shirley's ashes will be later that afternoon in the Hingham Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Stillwater Hospice of Billings, the Hi-Line Ambulance Service, the Liberty Co. Health Foundation, or a donor's choice.