On the night of July 27th, 2021 Shirley Green Hautzinger passed away peacefully with family by her side at St. Peter’s Hospital in Helena, MT. Her passing was the result of injuries sustained during an unfortunate automobile accident.
Shirley was born to Bert E. Green and Christine M. Sandsness on September 10th, 1935 in Big Timber, MT. She graduated Helena High School in 1952 followed by a pursuit of higher education at Montana State College (now MSU Bozeman). Shirley met and married Donald Matson Trotter while attending college. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in architecture in 1957 then gave birth to her son John Trotter in 1961 and David Trotter in 1963.
In 1968 Shirley suffered the loss of her first husband Donald and relocated to Helena, MT where she met fellow widower John Lee Hautzinger. The two married in 1971 with Shirley bringing her two sons and John bringing three daughters and a son to their new blended family.
Shirley who is a beloved Mom, Grandma, Great Grandma, Aunt, and Friend was 85 years young when she passed. Her and her friends had a saying “Never Let the Old Lady In”, and she proved that at 85 years young she could still do anything she set her mind to. Shirley was a pioneer for women everywhere being one of the first female architects to graduate from Montana State College (now MSU Bozeman) and flourished in a career designing buildings and structures across Montana.
After retirement Shirley went on to get her pilots license with her late husband John and enjoyed seeing the country by air. Her son David recalled a trip to Alaska when Shirley was seated in the left side seat of the aircraft during a border check in Canada. The border agents wanted nothing to do with her husband in the right-hand seat. They only wanted to speak to her, “the pilot”!
Shirley was known as “Adventure Grandma” by all her grandkids and great grandkids because there wasn’t an adventure out there that she would shy away from such as scaling mountain tops from Arizona to Alaska, whitewater rafting, four wheeling, boating, tubing, and camping just to name a few.
Shirley was determined to make the most of every day always inspiring others to have strength and endurance even in the most difficult of times. She was the rock and foundation for so many people and never hesitated to extend her warmth, care, and kindness. She was strong, fearless, independent, and always put other people first!
Charity was an important obligation that Shirley faithfully served. She was passionate about knitting caps and coats for newborns that were delivered locally and around the world. She was also well known for her beautiful quilts and prayer shawls, all of which were donated to those in need.
Shirley is preceded in death by: father Bert Green, mother Christine Green, husband Donald Trotter, husband John Hautzinger, brother Lester Green, stepson Mark Hautzinger, granddaughter Mellissa Trotter, and great granddaughter Gracie Trotter.
Shirley is survived by: sons John and (Jackie) Trotter, and David Trotter, step-children Lise Hautzinger-Forrest, (Darcel) Hautzinger, Suzanne and (Tom) Silver, Kayleigh and (Andy) Stroup, 15 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren and countless honorary extended family.
Shirley’s service will be held Thursday, August 5th at 10:30 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 1000 Helena Ave., Helena MT 59601. There will be a private family burial at a later date at Mountain View Cemetery in Big Timber, MT.
Memorial donations can be sent to: Florence Crittenton Home and Services,901 N Harris St., Helena, MT 59601 Family Promise of Helena, PO Box 939, Helena, MT 59624
St. John’s Lutheran Church (MEMO Youth Group), 1000 Helena Ave., Helena, MT 59601.
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
10:30 a.m.
Thursday August 5, 2021
Saint John's Lutheran Church
1000 Helena Ave.
Helena, Montana 59601
Reception
Following the service
Thursday August 5, 2021
Saint John's Lutheran Church
1000 Helena Ave.
Helena, Montana 59601
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
10:30 a.m.
Thursday August 5, 2021
Saint John's Lutheran Church
1000 Helena Ave.
Helena, Montana 59601
Reception
Following the service
Thursday August 5, 2021
Saint John's Lutheran Church
1000 Helena Ave.
Helena, Montana 59601
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Mary Gardinier says
Dear family of Shirley,
I am so sorry to hear about Shirley`S death. She was such a wonderful person. I moved to Helena about 4 years ago and Shirley was so kind and welcoming. She kept articles from the sports page that had pictures and articles of my grandaughters at Capital High School. Her smile made me feel so good and welcome at
Church. She was a very special woman, friend, and angel! Please accept my condolences and prayers.
Love, Mary
Janice Larison says
Dear Family,
Thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this difficult time. Shirley was very helpful to me during my time as President of the Women of St. John’s (2009-2014) and assisted in so many activities! I remember her as being kind and thoughtful and so knowledgeable of the history of the church. She will be missed greatly.
The Larison’s
Gail McKinnon says
I was shocked to read about Shirley’s death in the Sunday paper. I had initially missed it & read it yesterday. What an amazing woman Shirley was! The obituary was an accurate description of her but her incredible personality couldn’t be put down on paper. I have 2 prayer shawls from her as my late husband worked with her late husband. She lived a wonderful life & it is an honor to have known her. May God keep all of her family in the Palm of his Hand. Sincerely, Gail (Don) McKinnon and family
Lorna Van Dongen says
I was extremely shocked and saddened to hear of Shirley’s demise. I grew up in Helena but moved away after high school graduation. When I moved back she and I had a little golf group. We’d be on the course at 6:00 am no matter what the weather was. Then later we belonged to the same exercise group and also went on many trips together. I now live in New Mexico so didn’t learn of her passing until yesterday. I send my deepest sympathy to the whole family whom she loved so much. I‘ll miss her too.