Shirley Mae Reinig passed away peacefully on November 17, 2025. She was comforted by family and hospice in Billings, Montana at the time of her death. She was 97 years old.
Shirley Reinig was born in Helena, Montana on February 3, 1928. She was the first child of Frances and Edward Grady.
She married Harry James Reinig, a war veteran and businessman, on August 23, 1950. They have two sons: James Reinig and David Reinig and three daughters: Sandy (John) Leichner, Barb Reinig, and Patty (Larry) George. They have five grandchildren: Andrea (Duane) Herinckx, Mandi (Tim) Bastian, Sean (Stacey) Reinig, Mica Stone-Reinig, and Devon Stone-Reinig. They have seven great grandchildren: Raya Bastian, Lola Bastian, Annaleigh Bastian (deceased), Dylan Herinckx, Madelyn Reinig, Grady Reinig, and Caleb Reinig.
Shirley grew up in Helena but moved to Canyon Creek during her teenage years. She attended Cathedral High School in Helena and graduated from Carroll College with a degree in nursing. Also in Helena, she worked at St. John’s Hospital first and St Peter’s Hospital later. Many of her years were spent as a housewife and adoring mother of five children. In retirement, she volunteered at St. Peter’s hospital.
Shirley loved to golf, ski, and travel. She ventured many times to Seeley Lake with family to camp, swim and pick huckleberries. Watching golf, Jeopardy, Wheel of Fortune, and movies on television were always a thrill although gambling took priority over television. In recent years, she attended daily mass at the Helena Cathedral, where she met new friends, a few who were referred to as Church Ladies.
Shirley moved to Billings, Montana to spend the last seven and a half years at St. John’s United to be close to her daughter. In the mornings, she craved cheerios and coffee while reading the newspaper. In the afternoons she seldom missed Happy Hour.
Shirley is preceded in death by her husband, Harry James Reinig, her mom and dad, Frances and Edward Grady, her brother, Patrick Grady (who died too young), and her great grandchild Annaleigh Bastian, (who also died too young).
Shirley is survived by her brother, Edward Grady, Jr., and sister, Donna Linton, and her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren mentioned above. She was very fond of her siblings: Eddy, Patrick, and Donna.
A funeral Mass for Shirley will be 10:30 am, Wednesday, December 3, 2025, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Helena Montana. A reception will follow in the Social Center of St. Mary’s immediately following the funeral Mass. Rite of Committal will be approximately at 1:10 pm, Montana State Veterans Cemetery, Ft. Harrison. Memorials in Shirley’s name are suggested to the Cathedral of St. Helena, and St. Johns United, Billings, Montana.
Shirley was indebted to the many nurses and aides from St. John’s Mission Ridge-Vista Retirement Home. Shirley was humbled by family members who spent many tireless and difficult hours making sure that her last days on earth were the very best.
To offer a condolence to the family or share a memory of Shirley please visit below.
Service Schedule
Funeral Mass
10:30 a.m.
Wednesday December 3, 2025
St. Mary Catholic Community
1700 Missoula Avenue
Helena, Montana
Reception
Immediately following the Mass
Wednesday December 3, 2025
Social Center of the Church
,
Rite of Committal
Following the reception
Wednesday December 3, 2025
Montana State Veteran Cemetery
Fort Harrison, Montana
Service Schedule
Funeral Mass
10:30 a.m.
Wednesday December 3, 2025
St. Mary Catholic Community
1700 Missoula Avenue
Helena, Montana
Reception
Immediately following the Mass
Wednesday December 3, 2025
Social Center of the Church
,
Rite of Committal
Following the reception
Wednesday December 3, 2025
Montana State Veteran Cemetery
Fort Harrison, Montana
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Kathleen Broussard says
Reinig Family,
We are so very sorry about Shirley. We loved spending time with her. Now she is in heaven with our Mom. I am sure there is quite the party going on. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this very difficult time.
Keith, Kathleen, and Kory (her special friend) Broussard
Linda Grady says
Oh my Aunt Shirley. I will miss you but Bon voyage to Harry, Pat, your mother and father. I will always love and treasure my fond memories of you.
Your niece Linda Grady.💜💜💜
Joan Heberly says
Shirley was working on medical floor at SPH when I started working there – I’ll never forget the warm welcome and the loving care she provided
Joan Heberly
Mary Runkel says
Shirley’s smile and generous spirit made her a wonderful Nurse to work with on Medical floor. She loved to laugh and we all laughed with her!
Rest easy – May your family have joy in their memories!
Rick O'Connell says
Reinig family. What a life well lived. Shirley always had a warm smile and outstretched hand to make your day better.
And I agree there is probably a party going on. Will miss you my friend.
Kathleen Hunthausen says
The family of Harriet and Tony Hunthausen send our sincere condolences to the Reinig family. Shirley and Harriet were in the same nursing class at St. John’s Hospital/Carroll College, graduating in 1949. They became lifelong friends, were very fond of each other and were alike in their joyful demeanor, love and dedication to their families, spirituality, kindness and compassion. Most of us kids remember get togethers with the Reinigs, while our parents visited, and we played games outside. There were 5 you, and 9 of us – they were amazing parents. We became a skiing family for several reasons, but in a large part because of our connection to the Reinigs. In later years when I was an RN myself, Shirley always had a smile on her face and a kind word. The world is unquestionably better for her having been in it, and her love lives on. Blessings to all of you. The Hunthausen Family
Richard Grady says
My prayers are with you and your entire family.
John Rickman says
I have many memories of Shirley growing up in Helena and, to some degree on the Grady ranch. I remember Shirley driving a buck rake during haying season. Remember us “kids” were not allowed in the house during her wedding reception. But my most memorable remembrance was when I cut my finger at one of our many 4th of July picnics. I thought I needed stitches but Shirley put a butterfly bandage on it and said “ Go play,John, you’ll live. My prayers to all the Reinig family. God bless!
Jeffrey George says
Maybe now I can win a game of Phase 10 if I play with the Reinig family. In previous attempts to win, my efforts were thwarted by the never give up personality of Shirley Reinig. A wonderful family with a wonderful matriarch. God bless your loss with his presence ! Welcome home Shirley.
Theresa Ball says
Shirley was always a joy to visit with at St. John’s. Prayers for her eternal peace and joy with God, and for your family’s comfort until you are united again.
Carol Sullivan says
Dear Reinig Family,
Your mom was a great sport and fun loving when all of us Reinig cousins descended upon your house so many years ago. We have great memories of your family. We’ll always remember the fun times we had at your house playing kick the can, visiting the Grady Ranch, picnics and fishing in those cold streams and rivers in Montana! May your dear Mom rest in peace, live it up with the angels and all who love her up above!❤️
Love,
Carol Reinig Sullivan
Linda Predmore says
Shirley was a delightful person. I so enjoyed working with her at St.Peters Hospital. She was always upbeat and doned her beautiful smile whatever she was doing .She was such a kind person.
Lorri Mullen says
Dear Reinig family, I got to know your dear mother when she moved to Touchmark. I can’t believe it has been seven years since she moved to Billings! What a delightful and fun lady she was. Please know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers. God Bless you
Rosemary Erickson says
My mom was traveling and I was staying at her house after knee surgery and bless Shirley heart for stopping into check on me. Shirley made sure I was taking my meds and asked if I was eating and I told her yes, I found the Halloween candy. Shirley and Harry were just wonderful people and all of us Erickson just loved having Shirley and Harry in our lives. Mom and Ruth and Shirley had so many good times and great walks together.
Condolences to the family and friends.
Ann Marie Bushong says
Reinig Family: I first met Shirley in 1990 when I joined the Bill Roberts Ladies golf Lake. Shirley and Alice Buckley took me under their wings. What fun and memorable time that was. Always enjoyed golfing and having a beer with Shirley after playing golf. She lived a wonderful life and left a great legacy. Godspeed.
Sherry and Tom Cladouhos says
Reining Family,
We are sorry to hear about Shirley. We always enjoyed seeing your Mom and Dad over the years and enjoyed hearing about the Reinig family adventures. Will miss your Mom’s smile and kindness.
Mary Thomas says
Shirley was working surgical floor when I arrived as a newly registered Nurse! She was such a great mentor and yes what a great sense of humor! I loved working with Shirley who was hardworking and loved being a nurse