Shirley Marie (Hansen) Stivers passed away peacefully in the loving care of family on Oct. 23, 2013, in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. She was 83.

Before departing this life for eternal and blissful rest in the other, Shirley, “sweet Shirley,” was blessed with visits and expressions of deepest love and appreciation from her many grandchildren, friends, sons- and daughters-in-law and each of her 10 children, Pamela Marie Stivers Fritzler of Baltimore, Michael James Stivers of Port Angeles, Wash., Deborah Ann Stivers Snyder of Missoula, Douglas Anthony Stivers of Moscow, Idaho, Kimberly Joan Stivers Rosenlund of Hayden, Idaho, Daniel Christopher Stivers of Black Diamond, Wash., Jennifer Katherine Stivers Schade of Helena, Julia Elizabeth Stivers Stark of Coeur d’Alene, Patrick Fitzgerald Stivers of Kalispell and Carrie Christine Stivers Shook of Moscow.  

Shirley Marie Hansen was born on June 13, 1930, in Evanston, Ill., to Glen and Marie (Simon) Hansen. She attended St. Mary’s Church, School and Convent in Evanston until the age of 10. She and her sister Marilyn moved with their parents — affectionately known as MoMo and PoPo to their grandchildren — to Sioux Falls, S.D., in 1940. Both attended Catholic schools, with Shirley graduating from Cathedral School in 1948. All who were touched by Shirley’s presence recall her beauty, brightness and kind nature — qualities which shone in her to the end.

After graduation, Shirley attended the University of South Dakota in Vermillion where she met her one and only, James Leon Stivers, during her freshman year. Her plan to pursue a degree in journalism was put on hold (Permanently!) in order to marry and start a family. The world that missed out on a promising journalist nevertheless gained an all-around hard worker, a woman who, especially in her children’s eyes, could do everything and do it well. Guide, fixer, cook (A remarkably good one!), cleaner, chauffeur, seamstress, nurse, teacher, counselor, cheerleader, friend, comforter … wonderful mother. Can we ever marvel enough and give enough credit to a wonderful mother? No, we cannot.

Shirley and Jim were married on Jan. 28, 1950, at St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Sioux Falls. They eventually moved with several small children in tow to Sioux City, Iowa, for a few years, and then back to South Dakota, settling in the small town of Tyndall for a number of years in connection with Jim’s employment with International Harvester Co. The growing Stivers clan filled up the neighborhood track and football field, with Shirley, Jim and kids playing every manner of sport, especially enjoying baseball. There were enough Stivers to field a team … with Shirley as catcher. She and Jim made many good friends in Tyndall and enjoyed bridge, dancing, skating, Saturday night concerts downtown (Jim played cornet), their children’s band performances and “operettas” at school, church activities, picnics and rides. “Let’s go for a ride, Mom” was rarely met with a negative. All her days, Shirley loved to take car trips. “Hey look me over, lend me an ear, fresh out of clover, mortgage up to here …” was something of a family anthem, sung top of the lungs, during those most carefree of times.  

In 1969, Shirley and Jim moved their family from Sioux Falls to Moscow where the couple spent the majority of their later years together. After all the children left the roost and until Jim’s passing, Shirley and Jim were blessed to have some quality time to relax a little, travel and simply enjoy each other’s company. Due to ill health, Jim retired early, but Shirley carried on working, putting in a total of nearly 35 years in retail sales with Rosauers/Drug Fair. She retired in September 2003 and received memorable accolades from her colleagues at the going-away, all on the order of “Sweet Shirley, you will be missed! “

Shirley’s life was enormously enriched by a move to Boise, Idaho, in 2003 to live with daughter Debbie who encouraged her to expand her lifelong love of animals and nature by volunteering at the Friends of Zoo Boise. Shirley loved it! She became indispensable and was later hired to work in the Zootique gift shop.   

In 2006, Shirley and Debbie moved to Missoula where they lived, loved and laughed together for several years despite the serious health issues which were beginning to emerge. She moved to Kalispell for three years to be with son, Pat, his wife, Trina, and family — weathering cancer surgeries and chemotherapy.  Shirley made her final move to Coeur d’Alene in 2011, where she happily lived with daughter Julie and her husband, Garry, and family, until her passing.  There she experienced a familiar and loved mix — the sound of children and their friends, animals underfoot.

The entire family is forever indebted to Julie and Garry for their tireless, loving care of Shirley in her final few years, and to the many members of her immediate and extended family and admirers who shared their lives with her.  She was always interested, always “there” with wit, warmth and wonderment … so proud of each and every family member who cannot, in the end, express how very proud we were (and are) of her.

“Shirley is reunited in heaven with her adoring husband, Jim, her parents, and many beloved family members and friends.”

 She is survived by all of her children, 20 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, her sister Marilyn Olson, and many nieces and nephews. 

“Rest in peace, dear mother, sweet Shirley.”

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Shirley’s name can be made to Crest Home Health and Hospice in Coeur d’Alene, or to the Kootenai Humane Society.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 4, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Moscow. A luncheon and reception will follow at St. Mary's Family Center. The urn placement and burial will be at the Moscow Cemetery.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Short's Funeral Chapel, Moscow, and online condolences may be sent to www.shortsfuneralchapel.net.