MALTA-Shirley
Ann (Bengert) Jacobson, 75, was called to her heavenly home on
February 11, 2012 in Malta, Montana with her loving husband at
her side. She was a loving wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt,
cousin, and friend.A Wake will be held Thursday, February 16, 7:00 p.m. at Kirkwood Funeral Home in Malta. A funeral mass will be celebrated on Friday, February 17, 10:00 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Malta, with interment to follow at the Malta Cemetery. Memorials may be made in the name of C. Shirley Ann Jacobson to Phillips County Hospital, Box 640, Malta, MT 59538 or Banner Del Webb Medical Center, 14502 W. Meeker Blvd, Sun City West, AZ 85375. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.kirkwoodfuneralhome.com.
Shirley was born September 28, 1936 in Malta, MT to Joseph and Catherine Bengert. Being the youngest of five, she joined her sisters Clara, Lenora, and Isabel and brother Robert. She lived in Malta through the 6th grade and then moved to Turner, MT where she graduated from high school in 1954. Shirley attended Montana State College for one year and then returned to Malta to work at The First State Bank.
In 1957 she met her soul mate and love of her life, Clarence Jacobson. They were married November 22, 1958 and had 53 great years together. They were blessed by three daughters, Roxane in 1959, Linda in 1961 and Debra in 1966. She spent most of her life as a stay at home mom being very involved in her daughters’ lives. Shirley was a 4-H leader and mentor and was also very involved in St. Mary’s Catholic Church through Altar Society, CCW and Cursillo.
Clarence and Shirley spent all of their lives ranching west of Malta in the South Wagner community. She was an integral part of the community. In the early years, she was involved in the Friendly Neighbors Club always helping to put on wedding showers, baby showers, etc. For many years she worked at the Phillips County fair office. You could always count on Shirley’s yard being beautiful as she loved to garden. She spent countless hours in her garden and yard and everyone benefited from this. She was very generous and always shared her vegetables with others. Often early in the morning you would hear someone drive by honking their horn, while she watered her garden before it got too hot. Shirley was also an amazing cook. Being a ranch wife there was always a hearty meal on the table. No one could make pie and dinner rolls like her or anything else for that matter. If you went hungry at her house, it was your fault as there was always lots of awesome food for everyone! Shirley was also an amazing seamstress, teaching her daughters to sew. Crocheting became her passion. You never saw her without a crochet hook in her hand. She made amazing doilies and angels of all sizes. She sold many of her creations at craft shows. Her business was appropriately called “Angelic Touch”. She became known as the “Angel Lady” because of the beautiful angels she made. Quite fitting for the angel she is. So many people have her beautiful doilies and angels to cherish her memory.
Clarence and Shirley moved from the ranch to Malta in 2005. In 2003 they began spending their winters in Wickenburg, AZ and later in Black Canyon City, AZ. She loved the time spent there, meeting many special friends from all around the country and the world. She spent the winters doing water aerobics, playing bingo and crocheting.
Mom has had many health struggles in her life. She survived colon cancer and ovarian cancer in the 1980’s. The last 2 years she has struggled with her health and put up a valiant fight with great faith, peace and courage. Clarence was always at her side caring for her with great love. We wish to thank all of the great nurses and staff at the Del Webb Hospital in Sun City West, AZ as well as the awesome nurses and staff at the Phillips County Hospital. Also thank-you to all of their great friends and relatives in Arizona, Malta and around the country who visited, prayed, sent cards, brought gifts and food. You will always have a special place in our hearts!
Mom wanted you all to know how much she loved her family. We will miss you always!!
S hirley was preceded in death by her parents Joseph and Catherine Bengert, sisters Clara Lodmell, Lenora Andrews, and Isabel Fouts.
Shirley is survived by her loving husband of 53 years, Clarence, daughters Roxane (Ellis) Shammel of Sheridan, MT; Linda (Ron) Schafer of Bozeman, MT; and Debra Heimbigner of Chester, MT. She is also survived by 6 grandchildren; Wendy (Jake ) Hensel, Ashley Shammel, Rick Shammel, Katherine Schafer, Andrew Schafer and Kristin Heimbigner and 4 great-granchildren; Haley Shammel, Damon, Mara, and Quentin Hensel. She is also survived by her brother, Robert Bengert of Walla Walla , WA and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and her beloved cat, Punky.
Guest Book
From: Brian Lotton
To Clarence and family
Aunt Shirley was such a great gal. We all will miss her, but we have great memories to remember her by. I love the part about the gardening and cooking. I always remember when I would drive by on my way to or from the farm and see her out in the garden and I would honk and she would just smile and wave. Glad I got to see her one last time and wish I could be there for the service.
From: Edward & Sarah Ostlund
To Clarence and all of the family from Edward & Sarah Ostlund in Arizona.
From: Ed @ Barb Schafer
Our deepest wishes of sympathy to the Jacobson family on the passing of Shirley.
From: Dan and Angel Fouts
Our thoughts and prayers are sent to Clarence and the girls. We will not be able to make the services, but we are thinking about all of you and wish we could be there to give you a hug. Aunt Shirley was a wonderful person and her memory will always bring a smile to our face.
From: don andrews
i would like my uncle and cousins to know they are in my thoughts and prayers i can tell you for sure she is in a special place thanks for taking me on vacations with you when i was a youngster something ill never forget i love you.
From: Margaret (Leibel) Kiel
Our deepest sympathies on the passing of your wife, mother, sister, grandmother and friend. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
From: Gail Hendricksn Baldridge
Shirley touched the lives and hearts of so many and leaves behind the gift of countless happy memories. Take comfort in knowing a new angel is watching over you.
From: Grace A. Nesbit
I feel so fortunate to have such great memories of Shirley---and I have so many of her crocheted angels and doilies to make me smile.. The recipes of the food that she prepared for the brandings at the south country ranch are in my files. And the fun times at Wickenburg. My sympathy, thoughts, and prayers for all.
From: Diane Smith
my deepest sympathies to Clarence and family in the loss of Shirley. She was such a sweet lady, and will be missed by all who knew her.
From: Donna Dyrdahl
Heaven's gain is our loss.
From: Dave & Lolly Hines
To Clarence and the girls: Our sympathy, thoughts and prayers are with you. Shirley was a great lady and we so appreciated and enjoyed her. I got to know Shirley well when she served for several years as an election judge, was in various clubs together and as "Wagner" area neighbors. I'll always remember her great smile, beautiful crocheting and garden second to none. It's so great to have special memories that you will always hold dear to your hearts. Our love and prayers are with you.
From: Joan & Frank Adams
Our prayers with you Clarence and girls during this difficult time. May Shirley bloom anew in heaven's garden!
From: Grace Pankratz
Dear Clarence, Roxane, Linda and Debra,
I am so sorry for your loss. Shirley was a wonderful lady, and I have so many fond memories of her and all of you. She will be greatly missed. My condolences. My love and prayers are with you.
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