Denise Hirst-Tysver

With the colors of fall still clinging to the trees, and the crisp white of snow softly falling to the earth, it was then, in that quiet peace of the coming change in seasons, that Denise took her last earthly breath and her soul ascended to continue its watch over the very people who surrounded her in her final days.

Denise Hirst-Tysver passed away on Thursday, October 26, 2023, surrounded by her family and friends.

If given the chance to describe Denise using only one color, the color will forever and always be Pink. Whether she wore it, she talked about its Energy properties, or if she was carrying a heart shaped stone of pink crystal in her pocket. Pink was her color. Regardless of the situations she has faced and the cards she'd been dealt, Denise lived her life through rose colored glasses, finding the beauty of the simple things around her, and always seeing only the best in those she surrounded herself with.

Denise Lynn Hirst-Tysver, was born in Billings, Montana, on September 30, 1970 to Annett (Hague) and Dennis Johnson of Roundup. Denise attended Roundup Public Schools, graduating from Roundup High School in 1988. Immediately following High School Graduation, she and fellow classmate, Jon Toepp, were selected to represent Montana on a European Collegiate Choir Tour. This honor allowed Denise to travel to Europe, enjoying all the amazing sights playing tourist and singing her way across seven different countries there. She graduated from Dawson Community College with a Degree in Political Science with a minor in Music. Following college, Denise took a job working for a large trucking firm where she worked for the next 10 years. Denise was introduced to the world of Radio Traffic Management, a job she truly enjoyed and where she continued to work until her passing.

In High School Denise was introduced by one of her cousins, to Jason Hirst. They attended prom together that year, and though they went separate ways following high school, they found each other a few years later, and in July of 1993 the two were married. To this union the first two of her greatest blessings were bestowed upon her, a son Dennis David in May of 1996, followed in October of 1997, by another son, Shawn Michael, filling her life with added joy. Denise and Jason later divorced, and Denise became a single mother doing everything she could to protect and provide for her boys teaching them what it meant to be true gentlemen and good humans. She did the absolute best that she could for them as they grew into these wonderful men.

Through a mutual friend, Denise was introduced to Irvin Tysver. The two were wed, and in 2008, were blessed with Colton Lee Tysver, whom Denise proudly refers to as the greatest gift that she never knew she needed. Denise and Irvin divorced, though remained great friends working together in the best interest of their own son and the sons that she brought into his lives as well.

In 2011, Denise's oldest boys brought home one of their friends, Justen Doney, who was a young man in need of a place to belong. In true Denise fashion, she opened her heart and her home to Justen and from that point forward, her son count become four.

Denise is survived by her parents, Dennis and Annett Johnson of White Sulphur Springs, MT; sister, Deonne (Jamie) Hillman of Livingston; sons Dennis (Aurora) Hirst of Fort Johnson, LA; Shawn (Cami) Hirst of Jamestown, ND; Colton Tysver of Billings, MT; and Justen (Sabrina) Doney of Lillington, NC ; her one and only most adored niece, Makayla Kelly of Billings; as well as Numerous Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins. She was blessed to have some of the most amazing friends who supported her throughout her life, many of whom held steadfast by her side through the end. She was preceded in death by Grandparents Everett and Katherine Johnson, and George and Brucella Hague; Great-Grand Parents Everett and Bertha Johnson and Frank and Mary Hemovich.

“A beloved soul has joined the celestial choir; heaven rejoices in gaining an angel.”

Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday 10/31/2023 at 11 am at Dahl Funeral Chapel.

In lieu of flowers donations a Memorial Fund has been set up at Opportunity Bank for her son Colton Lee Tysver

Donations can be made to:

Opportunity Bank

Billings, Heights for Colton Lee Tysver

C/O Makayla Kelly

1639 Main Street

Billings, MT 59105