Shirley Ann Munhollon – April 24, 2021

Shirley was born on October 4, 1938 to Joe and Agnes Marson in Portland, Oregon.

She attended Holy Redeemer Catholic grade school and Immaculata Academy high school.  She married Lester Munhollon in Portland, Oregon where she was a housewife and Lester worked for Southern Pacific Railroad. Together they raised four children.  Lester’s early career required multiple relocations in Oregon. They moved from Portland and built their first home in Eugene, Oregon.

Shirley was active in many facets of 4-H, worked at the Oregon State University Extension Service and graduated from the University of Oregon in Eugene with dual Bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Community Health.

From Eugene they moved to Lafayette, Louisiana where Shirley made discovery of Cajun Cuisine and Mardi Gras. After leaving Louisiana they moved back to Eugene. Shirley enjoyed Louisiana more than any other place they lived. Lester knew this because she cried the day they left and never cried when they left anywhere else.

Their next move was to Mount Shasta, California where they got to play in a whole lot of snow. Lester and Shirley then moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado, where they retired.  While retired Shirley and Lester traveled all over the US to many cities that included birth and death locations of their ancestors while researching their genealogy. Shirley was proud of her heritage and recorded that her father (Joe Marson) was born in Cordenons, Italy. Her paternal grandfather, Antonio emigrated in 1910 from Italy to Canada, then to Mt. Angel, Oregon. Her paternal grandmother, Maria Giovani D’Andrea and 2 sons immigrated in 1913 to Mt. Angel, Oregon. Joe was 2^nd of 5 children, his oldest brother Gino drowned in the Mt. Angel Mill Pond at about 15 years old when Joe was 11 years old. Shirley’s mother (Agnes Prantl Marson) was born and raised in Gervais, Oregon. Her maternal grandfather Frank Prantl, was born on the family farm in Gervais, Oregon, homesteaded by his father, John.  Her maternal grandmother, Theresa, was born in Alsace-Lorraine (now part of Germany). Theresa’s family immigrated in about 1907 to Gervais, Oregon.   

In Colorado Springs Shirley became very active in St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church in various ministries including RCIA, Annulment Advocacy, Funeral Meals, Ladies Auxiliary, Alter Linens and Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion where she touched many lives. Shirley made linens with embroidery on many t-shirts for the choir, baptismal blankets and other Church linens. Shirley loved crafts, and made many unique table cloths, wedding and party decorations for many friends and family. Shirley loved flowers, but most of all she loved her husband, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and canine grandchildren.

Shirley was preceded in death by her father and mother and granddaughter Sarah Lynn Gaerlan. Shirley is survived by: sister Donna De La Rosa, husband: E.F. (Chon); sister Sharon Welch, husband Robert. Daughter Vickie Grimes, husband Elvin (Greg) and their children: daughter Leslie, her daughter MacKenna; daughter Andrea Hughes, husband Ryan, their sons Wyatt and Jaxson; son Matthew Grimes; daughter Rachel Jenkinson, spouse Danny and their son Holden. Daughter Rebecca (Becky) Gaerlan and her children: son Jeremy McIntyre, twin daughters Katheryn McIntyre and Cassandra McIntyre.  Son Scott Munhollon and his children: daughter Khatara, son Anthony (Tony), his son Anthony, and daughter Jessica Munhollon. Son David Munhollon and wife Lainee. Granddaughter Amanda Beneker, husband Garrett and their children, daughter Adaline and son Greyson.