Shirley Mae Metzner Cramer

Shirley Mae Metzner Cramer passed peacefully at home with family on March 30, 2016.

Shirley was born in Helena and raised by Percy and Audrey Mae Metzner in Kalispell, Browning and Eureka.

She graduated from Eureka High School in 1944 and attended the University of Montana where she met “the love of her life” John Cramer. They were married in 1946 and raised five children in Missoula. Shirley worked at the University of Montana in the Forestry School as a Secretary from 1965-1974. In 1975, Shirley and John built a home on Flathead Lake to retire.

She was known as an excellent cook, seamstress, knitter and parent. She enjoyed working in the garden, always planning ahead for the following year. She belonged to the South Shore Garden Club and was president in 1993-94 and 1998-99. She was active member for 26 years. Shirley and John built three homes together. Shirley was the exterior as well as interior painter. She loved to read and often relaxed with a book.

While in living Missoula, nights before the family went skiing, Dad and kids would snow-seal the ski boots and sharpen skis, while Mom fried chicken for the next day’s lunch. For these fun-loving times and many more, Shirley and John will be dearly missed.

Survivors include their children; Suz Rittenhouse (Dave) of Polson, Bill Cramer (Marge) of Lolo, Carol Knight (David) of Big Arm, Lexi Rausch (Kevin deceased) of Missoula, David Cramer of Big Arm, nine grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service for Shirley and John will be at 1 p.m. Saturday April 9, at the Lake funeral Home in Polson.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Shirley’s memory to the Mission Valley Animal Shelter, PO Box 1644, Polson, MT. Memories and condolences may be sent to the family at www.thelakefuneralhomeandcrematory.com.

Arrangements are under the direction of The Lake Funeral Home and Crematory.