Shirley Mayo Hollenback
Shirley Mayo Hollenback, age 88, of Superior, Montana, passed away on Tuesday May 15, 2018 in Missoula of natural causes.
She was born on July 2, 1929, in Spokane, Washington, to Fred and Edith Mayo. She attended elementary school in Superior then went on to high school in Spokane at Holy Names Academy to further her music and voice education. Shirley was chosen to be the piano accompanist for Gonzaga Prep choir while attending high school.
After high school, she followed her dream of becoming a nurse and graduated from St. Patrick’s School of Nursing in Missoula.
Soon after on August 30, 1951, she married her rancher sweetheart Richard Hollenback of Gold Creek. They lived on his family ranch until 1955 when they moved to Superior to take over management for her parent’s general store. In 1960, they acquired their ranch at Tarkio where they raised cattle and crops, eventually specializing in the Simmental breed. She loved her cows, had most named and knew them well. She and Richard were long time members of the National Simmental Association of which she was very proud to be a part of. Shirley also loved her horses, and spent as much time as she could riding. In 1962, they built and added the Big Sky Motel to their already busy lives and both are still in the family today. They eventually built their dream home on the ranch at Tarkio where they spent many years.
Shirley loved her music, and could be found dancing about the room whenever music playing. She enjoyed line dancing into her 70s. She always found time through the years to sing and play for many weddings and funerals and at church. She volunteered for the Superior Ambulance Service, helped her children with 4-H projects, followed her children and grandchildren in sports and activities, and continued her nursing as she could. She and Richard were very active in St. Mary’s Catholic Parish in Superior. Another love of hers was traveling with Richard and friends to destinations around the world, and spending their winters in their motor home in Yuma, Arizona.
Shirley (Mom) was a wonderful wife, mother, and grandma, always setting a good example of hard work will pay off. She will be missed by all.
Shirley was preceded in death by her loving husband, Richard, her parents, her brothers Melvin and Morris and daughter-in-law May.
She is survived by her children, Jim Hollenback of Phoenix, AZ, Mary Jo (Jim) Lommen of Superior, Cathy (Joe) Hartman of Billings, Dan Hollenback (Chris) of Superior, and David (Shawnee) Hollenback of Dillon; 13 grandchildren, Ryan, Darin, Marc, Shane, Dustin, Nathan, Kayla, Cody, Jesslyn, Tanner, Alyssa, Cassandra, Hannah; step-grandchildren Jason, Sara, Nathan and Tony; 22 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Also surviving are her sister and brother in laws, Josephine Johnson, Eleanor Hollenback, John and Carole Hollenback and Bob and Debbie Hollenback.
A funeral mass was held at St. Mary Queen of Heaven Church in Superior on Monday, May 21, at 11 a.m., followed by burial at the Superior Cemetery. Visitation was held at the church prior to the service, and a reception followed.
Memorial donations may be made to the Mineral County Fair board to support the fair (of which she loved) or the Mineral County 4-H youth programs.