Shirley Burland, 71

Shirley Ann Burland, age 71, passed away May 5, 2026, at her residence in Pablo.

She was born in Havre to Gordon and Agatha Schwan Sherman. The youngest of five, she joined siblings Ronald, Donna, Larry (Woody), and Russell. She was raised on the family farm in Chinook and Havre before moving to Ronan at age 8, where the family lived in the North Crow area raising chinchillas – something she enjoyed as a child.

A 1973 graduate of Ronan High School, Shirley briefly lived in Phoenix, Ariz., before returning home. She married Tracy Burland on Dec. 31, 1974, in Polson, and together they raised their children: Aimee Lyn (1975), Jarred Ryan (1977) and Joshua Tracy (1980). They also fostered several children and later adopted two sons, Raven and Ronnie. Tracy and Shirley later divorced.

Shirley worked at Dairy Queen over the years and, in 1994, joined St. Luke Hospital in housekeeping, where she formed many lasting friendships. In 2005, she opened her beloved coffee stand, “Gotta Hava Java,” in the Polson NAPA Auto Parts parking lot, which she ran for 10 years until her health and caring for her young granddaughters, Tracee and Mykel, took precedence. The stand remains there today.

She was a familiar face at Mission Valley Speedway, running the front gate throughout the 1990s and early 2000s.

Shirley loved to travel, especially to Pike Place Market in Seattle, Las Vegas for NASCAR races (cheering on her favorite driver, Jeff Gordon), Disneyland, and her annual trips to the St. Regis flea market. A highlight was attending the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally with her longtime friend Tana – returning with two tattoos.

In her final year, she embraced adventure, riding side-by-sides with her boyfriend, Chuck, exploring Pistol Creek and the Mission area, and looking forward to their weekly rides.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Gordon and Agatha Sherman; her brothers, Ronald, Larry (Woody) and Russell Sherman; and her niece, Jamie Sherman.

She is survived by her sister, Donna Molzhon; sister-in-law, Joan Sherman; her children, Aimee (Glen) Wunderlich, Jarred (Kari) Burland, Joshua (LaSarha) Burland, and adopted sons Raven and Ronnie Burland; special friends Tana Erickson and Kris Lozeau; her companion, Chuck Orr; and her ex-husband, Tracy Burland.

She was a proud Nana to Tyler, Trae, Drew (Xena), and Noah (Kelsie) Fouty; Rhylee (Clayton) Philpot; Trenton, Layton and Axton Burland; Jewel (Jacob), Quincy (Sophie), Amelia and Kanon Burland; Tracee, Mykel and Emma Burland; and Janay and Casadi Wunderlich. She was a cherished GiGi to Lacee, Dash, Colt, Blair and Asher Fouty; and Hazelynn Quequesah and Kenzo Montantes.

Services for Shirley will be held at Ronan Cemetery on Saturday, May 9, at 2 p.m. Condolences can be shared with the family online at shriderthompson.com.

Arrangements are under the care of Shrider-Thompson Funeral Home.