Shirley A. Myrum Tautges, 88, passed away at Northern Montana Hospital on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, after a stay at the Northern Montana Care Center.  Cremation has taken place.

Shirley was the first born to Earl and Grace (Tooley) Johnston during the Great Depression on January 16, 1936, in Mountain View, Missouri.   At age 4, the family escaped the Dust Bowl Plains and moved to Havre for her father to find water and work.  She lost her father in 1958, but was blessed to have her mother, the Golden Girl, or "Amazing Grace" Heeter until her passing on December 5, 2009.  She attended school, graduating in 1954 and resided in Havre, Montana her entire life.

She truly lived a life of Faith, Hope and Love from God to guide her down her path of life.   While working for Mountain Bell Telephone she met her first love, Arnold Myrum, and they were married in 1961.  Shirley was a homemaker raising their three children, as their business grew with Arnold building homes.   Arnold passed away in 1988, after 27 years of marriage.

In 1995, she was blessed to meet Jim Tautges as he became her best friend and soulmate for the remainder of her life.   They would have had 27 years of wedded bliss this coming January 10,, 2025 (a month after death).  January was a special month to celebrate both of their birthdays.  She lost her husband as he passed just recently in October.   It was a tough year for them both as they really were physically separated in June as she needed care from Northern Montana Hospital and the Care Center.

Shirley was an incredibly mild-mannered, selfless person, always putting others' needs before her own, and a caregiver at heart.   She also cared for her mother and assisted her two siblings, in addition to caring for her husband, Jim, until they entered assisted living in January 2023.   She liked to drive, and preferred to be behind the wheel whenever she went anywhere with friends and family.  Shirley was always eager to assist others and spread her kind disposition and her sweet wit to bring a smile to others whenever she had an opportunity.  She enjoyed many travel adventures with family, as well as gardening, camping, hunting, fishing, animals, especially her dogs, until Arnold passed away.  While with Jim, Shirley spent her spare time reading, doing puzzles, and going to visit friends at Char's restaurant and church with her husband, where they were treated like family. She held on to her Christian Faith and Hope as she lived a modest life.  Shirley was a very kind, sweet woman with an infectious laugh and an amazing, fun sense of humor.  If she knew you, you would be pleasantly surprised by her wit.  Shirley was a true woman of faith, and she loved her friends and family dearly.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Earl Johnston and Grace Heeter, and sister, Margaret LaRocque.

Shirley is survived by her children, David (Tamara) Myrum of Missoula, and Gerald and Linda Myrum; brother, Earl Johnston; niece, Kristina Nerling; nephews, Harold and Lavonne LaRoque; and her Norwegian Myrum family in Minnesota.

Shirley's family has asked that you continue to spread her kind and sweet spirit by gifting and helping those around you as she would.

A memorial service and early Christmas with Peace, Love and Joy for Shirley will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, December 16, 2024 (a month before year 89th Birthday) at Holland & Bonine Funeral Chapel in Havre with Pastor Megan Hoewisch officiating.  Burial will follow in Highland Cemetery.   Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with services and arrangements.