Josephine Shortell

Josephine Marie Shortell, 90, a longtime Whitefish area resident, passed away peacefully April 16, 2007, after a long stay at North Valley Extended Care and then Colonial Manor in Whitefish.

She was born Jan. 18, 1917, in Great Falls, the youngest of three children born to Annie and Joseph McClintock, who homesteaded a ranch out of Geyser. She was educated at Geyser and the Ursaline Academy of Great Falls.

Josephine was united in marriage to Leonard E. Shortell on July 3, 1937, in Great Falls. They had three children while living in Great Falls.

The family came to Whitefish in September 1944, where her husband worked for the Great Northern Railroad. Josephine worked as a cook at several different restaurants in and around Whitefish for more than 30 years. The couple also worked a small farm on the north side of Whitefish.

Josephine enjoyed gardening and playing the piano for family and friends. She enjoyed a long peaceful and happy retirement with her husband, friends, two dogs and some traveling.

Along with her big heart, she always had a big, warm smile for everyone she met.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two siblings, her husband Leonard and by a son, Donald.

She is survived by her loving daughter Rose K. Berg, of Whitefish; son Daniel Shortell and wife Sherry, of Columbia Falls; step great grandchildren Marty Stryker, of Great Falls, and Darby Stryker and her children Cedar, Haven and Jayden Hamilton, all of Columbia Falls; nieces Elsie Sprague and family, of Port Orchard, Wash., and Donna Stiers and family, of Missoula; nephew Raymond McClintock, of Lake Tahoe, Nev.; and nieces and nephews of the Shortell family in and around Havre.

Josephine was loved by so many and will be missed deeply by everyone who knew her.

At her request, a private burial will occur at a later time.

The family suggests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the benefit of their own choosing.