Shirley Kay Pettersen

Shirley Kay Pettersen, 81, of Missoula, passed on Friday, April 15, 2016, at St. Patrick Hospital from pulmonary arterial hypertension.

She was born Oct. 7, 1934, in Lansing, Michigan, to Henry and Fern Schultz. She attended grade and high school in Lansing and some college at Michigan State University in East Lansing. Shirley got her first job at Michigan State and worked her way to administrative executive for Dr. David Berlo, the chair of the Department of Communication. At age 25 she got her driver's license. Her first car was a 1964 navy blue Mustang convertible.

Along the way she was married and had two children, Michael Henry and Stacey Ann. Soon afterward, the relationship to her spouse ended. In 1964 she had her eye on Duane "Pete" Pettersen, a first-year doctoral student in the Communication Department at MSU. It must have been a firm gaze as Duane and Shirley were married in 1969. Shirley, Mike and Stacey all moved to Missoula, where Duane had been teaching at Montana State University (U of M) during the 1968-69 school year.

Shirley worked at the University of Montana from 1970-97, beginning as secretary to the dean of the Law School for $3 an hour. She took advantage of opportunities and job openings, working for the Geology Department, the Forestry School, the President's office, the Drama Department and ending her long career as executive secretary for Sheila Stearns and later Bill Johnston in the Alumni Office.

Shirley loved to laugh and tell a little joke. Her laugh was contagious and her jokes made people laugh. She was enamored with the Michigan Red Cardinal bird, the Montana Mountain Bluebird and the high mountain beargrass flower. She loved to play cards and dance. Probably her best times were with sports. She never missed a Michigan State Spartan football or basketball game –in person or on TV. The same was said for UM Grizzly athletic teams, especially football – live or on TV – they were very important to her. March Madness 2016 found Shirley dressed in school colors cheering in front of the TV.

Survivors include her husband, Duane "Pete" of Missoula; son, Michael of Lolo; and daughter, Stacey of Boise, Idaho; along with two grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 14, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 202 Brooks St. Interment will take place next to her parents in Lansing at a later date. Memorials may be given in care of the Missoula Exchange Club (child abuse prevention), Pulmonary Hypertension Association, or an organization of your choosing.


Read Shirley Pettersen's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.