Kathryn Shelley

Kathryn Shelly, 112, passed away at her home November 12, 2021. Per her request, no services are planned. Kathryn was born September 4, 1909, in Berne, Indiana, to Reuben and Laura (Fuhrman) Sprunger. The family moved to Montana in 1912 and lived on a ranch at Shields, then on their homestead in Potter Basin. In 1916, they moved to Wilsall, then into Livingston in 1924. Kathryn graduated from park County High School and went on to attend Normal College (a 2-year school) where she earned a teaching certificate, graduating in 1929. She taught in rural schools and eventually in Livingston public schools until World War II, when she moved to Seattle and worked for Boeing on the B-17s as a "Rosie the Riveter". After the war, Kathryn moved to California where she painted pottery and did wax carvings for jewelry. She missed her Montana home and returned to teaching in 1945. Kathryn married Clarence Shelley in 1956, and while she had no children of her own, she was a mother to Clarence's children. She retired from teaching in 1968, and lived out her life at home on a 5 acre tract. Kathryn was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Merrill and William, her step-daughter, Isabelle, and step-sons, Bob and Tom. Kathryn is survived by her step-daughter, Mary McDermott (Bob), of Billings; her nephew, Mike Sprunger (Penny), nieces Sylvia McDonnell, Kay Sprunger, and Gala Jozovich, all of Butte; nieces Linda Clardy (Wally), and Laurine Daniel (Bob); as well as numerous sons- and daughters-in-law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-nieces and nephews, too numerous to name. Franzen-Davis Funeral Home and Crematory has been entrusted with arrangements.