Sylvia Shepherd
March 12, 1929 - November 02, 2016
Obituary
Slightly opening her eyes for the final time, Mom raised her frail hand and pointed to the pictures of family we had placed on the walls surrounding her bed...she smiled and sighed. So fitting of a wonderful, loving mother who had devoted her life and her heart to family. Arlene Tutvedt Shepherd passed away on November 2 in Billings where she had lived for the past two years. Our sincere gratitude to the caring staff at Highgate Senior Living and Buffalo Hill Terrace in Kalispell where she had lived previously for loving on her daily. A celebration of her life will be held next July in the Galata/Chester area where she was born on March 12, 1929 to Norwegian homesteaders Peder and Myrtle Tutvedt. In 1948 she married her high school sweetheart Leo Shepherd, our loving dad, who passed away in 1993. Lifelong best friends were her big sisters Pearl Shepherd (deceased) and Ruby Glee of Galata who along with Uncle Lyle have faithfully tended the family farm for the past 70 years...Mom's favorite place of all. Her legacy of kindness, generosity, perseverance, love of simplicity and family will live on through her loving family: Lynda & John Baker of Great Falls, Lottie & Dan Eggen of Billings, Glen & Debra Shepherd of Colorado Springs, honorary daughter and loving Kalispell neighbor Rhonda Niblett, seven grandchildren and their spouses including Shawn (Michelle) Baker of Kalispell, Dan (Season) Baker of Colorado, Tara Eggen (Ed) Kidwell of Virginia, Darci Eggen (Steve) Summerlin of Oregon, Josie Shepherd (Jason) Harley of Texas, Jennie Shepherd (Benton)Walker of Colorado, and Jamie Shepherd (Logan) Mahowald of Kalispell, six great-grandchildren (Morgan, Kenzie, Kalysta, Cayden, Story & Bridger) with twin baby girls soon to be born (...the circle of life continues) along with numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Mom loved family, relatives, friends, home, the family cabin on Bitterroot Lake, being a homemaker, cooking, baking, canning, sewing, pansies, aprons, rocks, winters with Dad in Arizona, the sound of meadowlarks, Kalispell, the prairie, the Sweet Grass Hills, Montana, and her Norwegian and homesteader heritage. Gifts in Mom's name may be given to the Flathead Valley Community College Scholarship Fund where Dad was the first Business Manager. Mom, we will miss you dearly and yet take great joy knowing you and Dad are dancing together in Heaven.
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Memories
JM
Joan Murphy
Other •
Lynda, Lottie, Glen, I loved your mom and dad. They helped make my life journey a richer one by their friendship and support when they entered my life in 1975 when I was struggling with being happy in Winnett. Our school had a Home Ec department once again under their love and caring. They put their whole heart into our school and community, a wonderful, memorable time. There is a peace now knowing that mom and dad are once again together. Mom loved her family beyond all things as you said but you all were just as loving back which is a great tribute to your family. May you have an awesome celebration of life this next summer. Our condolences to all of you and thank you for being our friends. God Bless you all, Brendan and Joan Murphy
DP
Dustin Principe
Other •
Arlene always saw the best in me. Even though I never knew how to play the piano she believed in my abilities. I want to thank the family for sharing so much love.
Dustin Principe
CH
Carla Wurst Holman
Other •
I remember your mother Arlene and an always kind, encouraging, and patient Girl Scout leader to many of us Hedges Elementary School girls. Nice memories. My condolences to your family. Carla Wurst Holman, in Kalispell
DR
Deanna Robbins
Other •
As the lovely wife of our beloved Coach Shepherd, Mrs. Shepherd was always such a sweet and nice supporter of our team. When we get together we still have a laugh remembering the time at the State Tournament when she had to chase our fiery coach across the street to stop him from confronting kids throwing snowballs at our bus. The Shepherds were a great addition to Winnett in those years; Mom, Dad and even their grown children. Who can forget "We maybe Class C, but We're Classy!" Blessings for comfort in your loss. Deanna McCue Robbins
CL
Connie (Furlong) Lorentzen
Other •
Dear Lynda, Lottie, Glen and families, I was sorry to hear that your dear mother passed, her obituary was such a lovely tribute. I know you will miss her greatly but have wonderful memories to hold in your hearts. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers, Connie (Furlong) Lorentzen
TR
Tom Read
Other •
Mr. and Mrs. Shepherd were so kind to me when it must have been hard. Always kind, and had a loving family.