Shirley Marks

Our beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Shirley Joan Marks, passed away peacefully holding her daughter’s hand on October 5, 2016 in Missoula, MT. She was a longtime resident in Great Falls, MT.
Shirley was born in Deadwood, SD on May 1, 1934 to Ernest and Constance Major. She married a dashing young airman, Eugene Marks on February 2, 1952 in Rapid City, SD. Their military adventures moved them from SD, MT, AK and WA but they eventually settled in Great Falls. Shirley worked for many businesses in Great Falls including Able Answering Service, Fosse Insurance, Santy Insurance, & Rocky Mountain Treatment Center.
Shirley loved the Lord Jesus and was a strong woman of faith. She attended many Christian church fellowships in Great Falls as well as Immanuel Lutheran Church in Missoula. She will be remembered for being a faithful wife, Holter Lake lunker specialist, loving kind mother, devoted sister, fun pie-baking grandmother, loyal friend, and baby-cuddling great-grandmother.
Family meant everything to Shirley. She loved and valued every one of her family members and relished family gatherings. Survivors include brother Scott (Patty) Major, Tampa, FL; children, Ron (Nancy) Marks, Missoula, MT; Ken (Paula) Marks, White Sulphur Springs, MT; Lorrie (John) Bridges, Pacific Grove, CA; Terri (Jeff) Jallings, Belgrade, MT; son-in-law Tom Zimmerman, Great Falls, MT; her grandchildren, Erik Marks, Isaac Marks, Elizabeth Marks, Darren Marks, Charles Marks, Rochelle Yates, Tyler Yates, Noelle Ritter, Whitney Ernest, Grant Bridges, Trevor Jallings, Melissa Jallings, Katie Jallings, Mariah Jallings; and her great-grandchildren Kellen, Claire, Levi, Cody, Colton, Hayley, Bethany, Andrew, and Mackenzie.
She is preceded in death by her husband Eugene Marks, brother James Major and daughter Cheryl Zimmerman.
Private burial services will be held October 28, 2016 at Fort Harrison State Veteran’s Cemetery. A memorial service will be held October 29, 2016 at 11:00 AM at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 830 South Ave W. Missoula, MT with a luncheon to follow. You may watch the service live: http://imluchurch.org/watch-live/ A special thanks to the staff at Brookdale Missoula Valley and Partners in Home Care Hospice for their care of Shirley during her last months. Memorial donations may be made in her name to Partners in Home Care, 2687 Palmer St, Missoula, MT 59808 or to a charity of your choice.
Garden City Funeral Home is assisting the family. Condolences and memories may be left for the family at www.gardencityfh.com