October 15, 1939 – October 26, 2021
Our hearts are aching at the passing of our beloved Shirley Herrin, who went home to our Heavenly Father on October 26, 2021.
Shirley was born October 15, 1939 in Helena, MT to Gus and Bernice (Warren) Beaver. Shirley was the 4th child of 14 children. Siblings include Don, Joyce, Nancy, Phyllis, Larry, Carol, Glenda, Raymond, Mary, Judy, John, Clarice & Diana. Her first job was car hopping at RB Drive In. She later returned to RB Drive In, while in her 80s, where she loved to deliver meals carside to friends, family and the Helena community. Shirley graduated from Helena High School in 1957.
Shirley had two sons and one daughter, Steven, Stacey and Susan Baertsch from a previous marriage.
On August 23, 1969, Shirley married the love of her life, Keith Herrin and spent over 40 beautiful years together, until Keith’s passing on August 1st, 2011. Together they had two children, Michael Keith and Heather Anne. Shirley was a stepmother to Keith’s six children from a previous marriage.
Shirley worked for various State of Montana departments, including the Montana Highway Patrol, MT Historical Society and Department of Justice. Her true work passion was working for the Montana Legislature where she began working in 1963. Here she served as the supervisor of the Senate Committee Secretaries for many years. She carried out this passion of assisting the legislative process and all members/staff with great enthusiasm and care, serving her last legislative session in 2021. Shirley also loved teaching and helping children. She spent many years teaching and volunteering at the Mt. Helena Christian Academy and temping for the Helena School District. Shirley was the historian for not only her family, but for so many others.
Shirley served on many boards, including Montana Capitol Restoration Foundation, Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame/Western Heritage Center, Daughters of the American Revolution Oro Fino Chapter and was an active member of several Republican Women’s groups . She also volunteered for years for the National and Montana Saddle Club Association, Pioneer Cabin (Reeder’s Alley), Lewis & Clark County Fairgrounds Users and the Helena Trail Riders, serving as the club’s president at the time of her death. She volunteered on many local projects and with local churches.
Shirley loved her family activities, which included family reunions, picnics, holiday gatherings, horse activities (O-Mok-See/Little Bighorn Reenactment), taking pictures, running around the mountains with her kids, picking huckleberries and many others. She loved her family with all of her heart. She also loved her hats and was rarely seen without one, which always matched her outfit perfectly.
Shirley will be greatly missed and always remembered. She is survived by her children, Steven (Laurie Edwards) Baertsch, Stacey (Tanya) Baertsch, Susan Williams, Michael Keith (Tasha) Herrin, Heather (Roland) Schreibvogel. Grandsons, Doug Baertsch, Casey Lee, Colton Baertsch, Seth (Amber) Bourquin, Faith (Georg Sperle) Herrin, Justin (Robyn Avery) Baertsch, Hope Schreibvogel, Matthew Herrin, and Dakota Schreibvogel. Great Grandsons, Mason Baertsch, Stetson & Dawson Bourquin. Siblings, Nancy Archer, Larry Beaver, Phyllis Lamping, Glenda Eenhuis, Mary Crosby, Judy Harris, John Beaver and Clarice St. Clair. Her step-children: Marcia, Mary, Kitty, Carol and Laura. Step Grandchildren, Branch, Gretta, Rafer, Colter, Ryley, Amandalee and Dillon.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Keith Herrin. Her parents, Gus and Bernice Beaver and her siblings, Don Beaver, Joyce Sturn, Raymond Beaver, Carol Dean and Diana Gustafson. Step-son Keith Jr. and step grandson, Evan.
There will be a celebration of Shirley’s life in Helena in the Spring, 2022.
