Shirley Jean Carlson Dunbar

Shirley Jean Carlson Dunbar passed away at the Hi-Line Retirement Center on December 7, 2019, with her family by her side. The Funeral Service for Shirley was December 14, 2019, at Kirkwood Funeral Home.

Shirley was born to Carl David Carlson and Anna Jensine Larson Carlson on August 3, 1927, in Whitewater Mont. She Married Archie Blue Dunbar on December 22, 1945. Together they had three sons and one daughter. They raised their family on the Dunbar Ranch north of Whitewater. Shirley was a mother, grandmother, aunt, good neighbor and well-respected lady to all who knew her. She had a way about her that would make you feel special, she always felt blessed because she had a good relationship with all her family, friends and neighbors. In her younger years she worked at the Brandt General Store, she loved to dance, was active in the Whitewater Women Club, and was very involved with her kids with 4-H and sports. Her grandchildren knew her as farm grandma or grandma great and she left her love and respect for all animals, cats, and dogs. She enjoyed reading and writing letters. She played all types of card games and bridge, she taught all her Grandkids how to play cards. She will be missed but live on in each of us. Shirley was the clerk at the Whitewater School and she also carried U.S. Mail in the Whitewater community for 43 years.

Archie passed away in 1977, she continued to live on the Ranch and be very independent enjoying her gardening, her flowers, sewing, canning, cooking, baking, she made quilts for many family members, taking part in her grandkids activities, and many of her cookies and candies found their way into mailboxes for friends and neighbors. Then over the years there where several ranch hands and family members she cooked meals for and soon learned what there likes and dislikes were and cooked and baked accordingly to meet there needs. She had a way of spoiling us all. Her flowers and gardening seemed to be a time for relaxation for her. Mom every year loved to see the back garden blooming with Gary's yellow California poppies, he gave her the cactus plant which she threatened to throw out many times but she still faithfully put it out in the summer and back in the house for the winter.

Shirley is survived by her children David (Janet), Archie Patrick (Barb), Richard and Dixie, her nephew Dale (Susy) Carlson, her grandchildren, Sherrill Dunbar, Tyanna, Kevin Brock; David Grant (Melissa) Isla, Ainsley, Merrin; Sarah (Paul) Skubina, Korbyn, Emmett; Julie Moore, Nolan; Mary (Ray) Smail and MaRae.

She is preceded in death by her husband Archie Dunbar, her parents, her siblings Helen Mavencamp, Charlie Carlson, Clyde Carlson, and Stella Hellie; Grandson Scott Moore, and Son in Law John W Moore.

Everyone is invited to a luncheon with the family following the services at The Little White Church. Also following the burial in the Forks Cemetery, the family invites everyone to the North 40 in Whitewater for a gathering with the family.