Shirley Louise Visser, 95, passed away on April 3, 2018 at The Faith Lutheran Home in Wolf Point, MT.
Shirley was born October 9, 1922 to Beldon Reid and Miriam (Burke) Taylor on Little Porcupine Creek, North of Frazer, MT. She spent her childhood there, on the farm, before the family moved to Wolf Point. Mom was educated in Wolf Point and developed a lifetime appreciation for learning, graduating in 1941. It was during these years that she helped her father and mother run the Triangle Café and Service Station, a Wolf Point Landmark for many years.
Shirley was married to Robert Niblett and to this union a daughter, Christie Alice, was born in 1945. They later divorced. On June 9, 1952, she was wed to Anton (Tony) Visser, and this marriage produced Dennis Dale in 1953, and Rachel Jean in 1958. They made their home in Wolf Point the many succeeding years, where Shirley was a housewife, a wonderful mother, a den mother in the Cub Scouts, and also managed to work at the Wolf Point Implement for many years. In 1969, Shirley and Tony purchased the Triangle Café where she developed friendships that she treasured all of her life. Their next adventure found them moving to Williston, North Dakota in 1972. Shirley had always been a lover of verse, writing short stories, poetry, children’s books and bible stories. She was always writing, but during these years, she was especially productive, always honing her skills. She won numerous writing awards through the years. Mom was in her 60’s when she decided to return to college at Minot State University. She graduated and obtained her teacher’s certificate. Against all odds, and to her great determination, she taught school in a one room school house in Ingomar, MT to 6 children.
Tony passed away in 2000, and Shirley wanted to move back to her beloved Wolf Point. It was always her love and she lived there the remainder of her life.
Our mother was a talented individual, over the years she sewed ornate quilts and pillows, doll clothes, and curtains. She also was an accomplished cook and baker. Being a restaurant owner, she knew how to feed a branding crew or set a table for the President. Mom was an adventuresome soul, always making time for a grandchild, to read a story, go swimming, or have a picnic. As all of us matured, we found she offered solid advice in whatever trials we were having, always backed with her commitment to her Lord, Jesus Christ.
She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, brothers Burk and Douglas Taylor, and sister Geraldine Jensen.
She is survived by her two daughters, Christie (Ralph) Ferdina of Wolf Point, Rachel (Joe) Hastings of Bismarck, ND, one son Dennis (Kim) Visser of Williston, ND. She will also be remembered by 9 grandchildren, Wendy, Jay, Jill, Jana, Jade, Ryan, Jaclyn, Shawna and Beau, 15 great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren.
Condolences for the family may be left using the form below.
Service Schedule
Viewing
1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Sunday April 8, 2018
Clayton Stevenson Chapel
102 Custer Street
Wolf Point, Montana 59201
Funeral Service
2:00 p.m.
Monday April 9, 2018
Assembly of God Church
616 4th Ave N
Wolf Point, Montana 59201
Luncheon
Monday April 9, 2018
Assembly of God Church
616 4th Ave N
Wolf Point, Montana 59201
Service Schedule
Viewing
1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Sunday April 8, 2018
Clayton Stevenson Chapel
102 Custer Street
Wolf Point, Montana 59201
Funeral Service
2:00 p.m.
Monday April 9, 2018
Assembly of God Church
616 4th Ave N
Wolf Point, Montana 59201
Luncheon
Monday April 9, 2018
Assembly of God Church
616 4th Ave N
Wolf Point, Montana 59201
Jim & Debbie Marmon says
My condolences to the family. I will miss Shirley. I enjoyed working with her at the North Side School. We shared a love for books and writing. She is a great lady.
Jim
Mike & Laura Forest and Family says
Christie, Dennis and Rachel:
Our condolences to each of you and your families. Your Mother will always be with you; as love never dies, but lives on in those who remember.
Granting PEACE in difficult moments…
COMFORT in times of tears, and
LOVE in every memory.
With Prayers and Sympathy,
Mike & Laura Forest and Family
Ethel vander vliet says
Our heartfelt sympathy to Christie ,Dennis,and Rachel in and your family’s in the passing of your dear mother .i will remember her as a soft spoken lady.a lover of books,wrightings, poems etc. l have a book of her poems. How blessed to have a mom 95 years. May the lord hold you all in the hollow of his hand . She is now home at last. God bless you all . Wish we were there.love Gerald & Ethel
Tony Sifuentes says
Our condolences to the family. We will miss Shirley. It was always a joy to visit with her when we went to Faith Lutheran Home. We always walked away feeling blessed. We will miss that beautiful smile. She loved the Lord and was not afraid to speak about it.
Prayers for the family,
Pastor Tony and Martha Sifuentes
Melodee J Madison says
I am sending big hugs, strengthening and healing prayers. I know how hard it is to lose the captain of your ship. Things do get a little easier, but, you never forget. Sending love.
Robert and Cleta Presser says
So sorry to hear about your mother passing, I only met her a few times but what a wonderful person. Prayers for you and your family.
Claire (Dewar) Roberts says
To Shirley’s children and their families….
My dearest condolences to you all in the passing of your Mom. I know what it is like to lose a Mom, and we all will come to that point
eventually……Shirley was my cousin, whom I did not get to visit very much, because we are the Canadian arm of the Taylor family, and the
miles kept getting in the way…
Blessings to all of you, I know the Lord is looking after your Mom at this time…….as He is to us here on earth.
Sacramenta Landrum says
My deepest condolences to the Visser family and friends for the loss of your loved one Shirley. Please read God’s wonderful promise for the loved ones we have lost in death to be fulfilled very soon right here on a brand new Paradise Earth by his son Jesus Christ it will give you hope and comfort during this difficult time Acts 24:15; John 5:28,29; Revelation 21:1-5.
(Shirley) Julene Schroeder says
Your dear mom was my mom, (Mildred Dewar Hodges)’s favourite cousin. She named me after her – my first name – and always told me it was after her favourite cousin. I see they were born the same year, 1922. My mom went to be with the Lord in 2008, so I can only imagine how happy their reunion is today!
My husband, kids and I were able to stay with her and your dad in 1987 in Williston, N.D., when we were moving down east for 5 years. I enjoyed her SO MUCH! And was SO happy to be named after her (Shirley Julene). I loved all the things you said about her lovely life. What beautiful memories, what a beautiful life. God bless you all so much! Love and prayers, Julene Hodges Schroeder
Rena Helberg says
Shirley was a remarkable woman with many interests. I visited her in Williston when I was a busy young mother. She provided me the opportunity to visit about adult things, while my children were welcome to come with me to her house. Those were some wonderful days, golden to me at that time. God bless her memory, and my sincere condolences to her family.
Siri & Wesley Peterson says
So sorry to hear about Shirley’s passing. Sending prayers & sincere condolences to Shirley’s children and their families.
Brenday Boysun says
Brenda Boysun says
I remember one time going to her apartment to see if should like to have me come in and clean her apartment when I worked for the county. Shelli and I went to her house and she had the most delicious blueberry pie waiting for us. She told me the secret and now I can make pretty good pies. But not as good ash hers. She was so sweet. She did not need me at that time but we sure had a wonderful visit and delicious pie.
Susie Moran also told me about her working their at the triangle for her. She had wonderful memories of that café. I am sure she is not the only one. My prayers are with you and your family! God bless! Brenda Boysun
Arleen Finders says
I met Shirley at the writers’ group in Williston. What a lovely lady. It was a pleasure to visit with her. My sincere sympathy to all of you.
Laurie Neubauer says
What a remarkable woman she was! So sorry for your loss….God bless you at this sad time….sending prayers.