Shirley LaVonne (Rall) Hinrich passed away unexpectedly with family by her side on

June 30 th , 2026 at Bitterroot Health. She recently found out about her husband's cancer

diagnosis, of whom passed away on July 4 th , 2026 four days after her passing. It is

simply stated that they both passed away from broken hearts, but healing knowing they

both lived long fulfilling lives.

Shirley grew up the youngest of 15 children. Stories were plentiful growing up in this

large family. One recent story came up where her brothers all shared a room and her

sisters all shared another room. The boys were known for their poker games, with one

of them inevitably not being happy about losing and would flip the table. Shirley took

this as a great opportunity as being the smallest to pick up any money that hit the floor

and being the youngest, to get away with it.

Once everyone were adults it was always a treasure to see the sisters gather at one

another's house to finish quilts that were worked on over the winters as all kids were

given a quilt to cherish. A tradition started by her mother, Maggie. They would can

peaches and pears that her sister would bring from California and enjoy them for years

to come, filling many pantries with love in a jar. The summers would typically end with a

BBQ at her brother Rogers or her sister Kathy’s house accompanied by string

instruments, spoons and beautiful voices going long into the night.

On January 10 th , 1969 Shirley married James Kearney in Stevensville, MT and later

divorced in July of 1992. Their marriage produced 4 children Richard, Sonja, Keri, and

Somer.

In 1996 she began a pen pal relationship that turned into love and a marriage to Eugene

Hinrichs in 1997. She then moved to Mesa, Arizona where she began a new chapter in

her life as Mrs.Hinrichs, which was the beginning of their 29 year marriage. Upon

Gene’s retirement they moved back to Montana to enjoy the mountain air and family.

She continued gardening, canning, sewing, and more recently online books/story

reading until her passing.

She is survived by her children Rich (Glenda) Kearney, Sonja (Aaron) Kearney-Clark,

Somer (Shane) Hadley, step sons William aka Geneo (Wendy), and Jeremy,

grandchildren Jake (Nicole) King, Joe King, Clifton (Baylee) Kearney, Sam (Mattaya)

Kearney, and Sierra (Michael) O’Leary and her two surviving sisters Rosie and Lori.

She is preceded in death by her daughter, Keri Lynn Kearney, and siblings Lou Ella,

LaVerne Ruth, Lydia, Kathy, Stella, Caroline, Lorraine, Robert, Leo, Roger, Vern, and

Darvin.

It is healing for all to know that she is rocking Keri, and standing by Gene, with a healed

heart, under the grace of our Heavenly Father.

Shirley requested for there not to be a service and the family will spread Shirley and

Gene’s ashes together at a later date. A memorial bench will be placed in the Hamilton

Dog Park as Gene enjoyed the park and the friends that were made there and the

flower garden at the Marcus Daly Mansion in memory of Shirley’s love for flower

gardening.

Shirley’s children would like to thank the family and friends that showed a never ending

love for Shirley.