Shirley Buechler

Shirley (Steil) Buechler was born Oct. 9, 1935, in Litchfield, Minn., to Sylvester and Christina (Jansen) Steil, a German dairy farming family. She passed away on Monday, Dec. 2, 2024.

Shirley's childhood was challenging with the death of her mother when she was just seven years old. Her dad remarried and created a second family with nine new siblings. The twins, Robert and Ronnie, were especially close as Shirley helped raise them.

Shirley graduated early from high school in Minnesota and then joined her aunt and uncle in Circle, Mont. Later she enrolled in elementary education at Eastern Montana College in Billings, Mont. Upon graduation, Shirley accepted a job teaching second grade at Southside School in Glasgow, Mont. Shortly after arriving in town, Shirley met her future husband, Edwin Buechler, while attending an event at Sunnyside Country Club.

Ed and Shirley married in 1958 celebrating 66 years together this past June. Four children resulted from this union. Shirley spent many of those early years raising her family. However, she never lost the desire to teach. For many years Shirley operated her own kindergarten, launching an entire generation of young Glasgow students on their educational journey. Shirley always appreciated when her former students came up to her and identified themselves.

Shirley was deeply involved in all her children's lives. She was their biggest cheerleader and advocate. Each child had a strong sense that they were their mom's favorite, and of course they were. She made sure each was prepared to succeed in life. She celebrated each of their achievements and was always on hand to demonstrate her support. She was one of the moms on Heather Lane who considered those neighbor kids her own.

She was a huge fan of Fort Peck Lake, although not a single child ever saw her get in the water. The years the family enjoyed B's Boat Dock were epic. That floating cabin attracted crowds throughout each summer. She was always prepared to welcome the hordes of friends who showed up to enjoy that special lake experience.

Shirley's faith was a huge part of her life. She was an active member of St. Raphael's Catholic Parish throughout her time in Glasgow. Her kindergarten was situated on that campus. She participated in Altar Society, served on the Parish Council, taught Sunday school, sang in the choir, took eucharist to the homebound, and worked the annual rummage sale.

Later in life, Shirley was blessed with 10 grandchildren who became her focus. She and Ed traveled throughout Montana and across the US to participate meaningfully in all their grandchildren's lives. Each of those grandkids would also claim to be Grandma's favorite...and they were.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents; her sisters, Ermaline Lahr and Helen Mastey; and brother David Steil.

She is survived by her husband, Edwin; her children, Kathy (Andy) Marchus, of Miami, Fla., Kelly (Roxie), of Portland, Ore. Ed (Barb), of Malta, Mont., and Annette (Tim) Peterson, of Helena, Mont .; her grandchildren, Jacob, Davis and Anna Marchus, Mitchell, Mason and Jack Buechler, Blake Buechler and Lauren Matherly, and Ethan and Claire Peterson. Survivors include a large extended Minnesota family that remained an integral part of her life throughout these many years.

The Rosary was prayed 7 p.m., Friday, Dec. 6, at St. Raphael's Catholic Church, Glasgow.

A funeral mass was 10 a.m., Dec. 7, at St. Raphael's Catholic Church, with burial following at Highland Cemetery.

Online condolences may be left for the family at bellmortuarymontana.com.

If you'd like to honor Shirley's memory, the family recommends a gift to St. Raphael's Parish, or the Alzheimer's Association.