Shirley Hayden, 87

Shirley Jean Hayden

April 13, 1938 — Feb. 9, 2026

The morning of Feb. 9, after a long, courageous battle with cancer, Shirley, 87, peacefully passed away at home with her beloved husband, Craig, by her side.

Born in Billings, Mont., on April 13, 1938, to Arthur and Molly (Whitman) Fowles. Shirley was raised throughout Montana along with four younger brothers: James, Richard, Jack and Ronald.

She was on her own and living in Butte when she met Richard (Dick) Bohnet. In 1962, they married. In the summer of 1965, on June 27, they were blessed with their first daughter, Cassie Jean. Eighteen months later, in the winter of 1966, on Dec. 15, they welcomed their second daughter, Brenda Marie. Butte was home for a couple of years before deciding to relocate to Wallace, Idaho. The area’s economy was flourishing; the silver mining industry had exploded and the mines, along with the area businesses, were paying the highest wages the valley had ever seen. Wallace provided the most wonderful place to live, work and raise their family. Once the girls started school, Shirley wanted to go back to work. For a few years, she worked in the nursing department at the West Shoshone Hospital before changing careers and working for a local clothing store. It was a job she truly enjoyed and continued to work in throughout her life. Between work and raising her family, she still found time to be involved with the “Wallace Community Melodrama Theatre” putting on plays. She sang with the local “Sweet Adelines” and was an active member of Wallace’s St. Alphonsus Catholic Church. Before long, both the girls had graduated from high school and moved to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, to attend college. Shirley divorced shortly after and decided to move to Coeur d’Alene to be near her girls.

In the summer of 1990, she found herself attending an “All Class Reunion” in Twin Bridges, Mont., where she ran into her high school sweetheart, Craig Hayden. The sparks flew and the flames were rekindled. They found themselves back in love. On Sept. 19, 1992, in a small lakeshore church in Lakeside, Mont., Shirley and her daughters, Cassie and Brenda, by her side, and Craig with daughter Sharon by his side, the two were married. They briefly lived in Helena before making the permanent move to Sheridan, Mont.

Craig hired his cousin and dear friend, the late Neil Elser, to begin building their home. Before the house was done, the lock balcony deck was built overlooking Mill Creek with a daily gorgeous view of the majestic Tobacco Root Mountains. For the next 36 years, they enjoyed the most beautiful home they could have ever imagined. Of course, they were “Snow Birds” enjoying what Arizona and Nevada offered; fortunately, the traveling became too much, and the entire Ruby Valley blessed them both with the most amazing close special friends and relatives.

No matter what life threw at Shirley, she always persevered, making her a stronger lady every time. Shirley took great pride in herself, her family and her friends. Her faith and strong belief in God guided her through good times and bad times. She was thankful every day of the life she was given, especially the last 36 years she got to spend with her loving husband, Craig. Shirley will be deeply missed, but remembered and cherished forever.

She was preceded in death by both parents, daughter Sharon Kolb, brothers James and Ronald, and great-granddaughter Harmony Jean.

She is survived by her husband, Craig, of Sheridan, daughters Cassie Schmid (R) Sweeney of Ennis, Mont. and Brenda Bohnet of Hayden, Idaho, brothers Richard of Utah and Jack (Kathy) of Anacortes, Wash., grandchildren Justin, Jesse, Nick, Hailey (Sean), Trey and Hayden, great grandchildren James, Jazlyn, Jordyn, Kairo and Safiyya.

Per her request, cremation has taken place. A service and celebration of her life, with the release of her ashes at the Twin Bridges cemetery to follow, will be planned at a later date.

To our new beautiful Guardian Angel:

“WE LOVE YOU ALWAYS AND FOREVER”