Inez Shafer “went to join the Lord” April 13, 2015, at Heritage Care Center in Kalispell.

 Inez Jeanette Shepard was born Sept. 12, 1931, in Hill City, South Dakota. Her parents were Jay and Myrtle Shepard. She was delivered by her grandmother at home.

 Inez enjoyed her first 11 years in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Her father was one of the original workers on Mount Rushmore and she and her brother spent many hours running up and down the steps behind Mount Rushmore. When the mountain was finished the family moved to Ronan where they were to spend the rest of their lives.

Inez started school at Ronan when she was 12 and graduated from  Ronan High School in 1949. She was proud to be one of the ‘49ers and helped make high school reunions for that class possible. She was a member of the Ronan Home Extension Club, Mayflower Society and Daughters of the American Revolution. 

 Inez married Les Shafer Aug. 12, 1949. They were married 63 years and have three children, Caryl Brown, Joan Johnson, and Dan and Lisa Shafer. Grandchildren are Pam and Bob Siloti, Brandy and Jason Channel, David Tubb, Jennifer and Buck Barney, Matt and Jolena Brown, Susan and Jessee Rose, Dustin Shafer and Jamie Shafer. Great-grandchildren are Mitchell Wassam, Nachelle Wassam, Riley Channel, Jadelin Brown, Troy Barney, Kinsley Barney, Ridge Barney and Aiden Veselets. She also has a sister-in-law, Dee Anderson; and niece, Gay Shepard.

Inez was preceded in death by her husband, Les; infant son, Raymond; parents, Jay and Myrtle Shepard; her brother, Reece; and son-in-law, Mark Lee.

Services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 25, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Ronan, with burial following at Calvary Cemetery. A vigil will be held Friday evening at the same location. No time has been specified for the vigil at this time.

 Donations may be sent to North Crown Club House, 45979 Old Highway 93, Ronan, MT 59864.