Catherine Mary Shea Menghini

Catherine Mary Shea Menghini was born on October 20, 1921, in Wibaux, Montana. She graduated from Wibaux High School in 1939 and graduated from the College of Great Falls in 1941 with a degree in Education. She taught elementary school in Eden and Power. While teaching in Power, she met her soulmate, Henry Menghini, and they were married in Great Falls in 1945. She was called back to teach in Power and substituted at Power School when needed. She and Henry began their married life farming the land his parents homesteaded in 1910 until her grandsons took over the farming in 2018. In 2017, Catherine and Henry moved to Front Range Assisted Living where she resided until her death on April 14, 2021. Along with being a busy farm wife and raising 4 children, she was actively involved in the Guardian Angel Catholic Church, the local Home Demonstration Club, 4-H Club, and Power Senior Center. She worked for H & R Block during tax season several years and was a long-time volunteer at Columbus/Benefis Hospital. She always enjoyed reading, so the local papers were very important to her, and she loved the challenge of the crossword puzzle in the daily paper. In later years, her children claimed she also used the daily paper as a blanket while napping in her recliner. Catherine enjoyed people, so she liked playing cards, visiting and eating meals at the Senior Center, and going on camping trips with family and friends. As a parent, she was an excellent role model for honesty, moral integrity, spiritual strength, and a strong work ethic. Nurturing and supporting family was a top priority. Catherine is the oldest of three girls born to J. M. “Mike” and Marie Cassidy Shea. She leaves behind daughters Carol (Ron) Ostberg, Janice (Douglas) Denson, Julie Blair Menghini, and Kathy Shanahan; a sister, Marjorie; grandchildren, Chris (Joy) Ostberg, Stephen (Cari) Ostberg, Alex (Michelle) Ostberg, Levi (Kristen) Ostberg, Abby Shea (Sean) Denson Pigott, Katie (Mark) Menghini Regier, Louis Menghini, and Angie Menghini; twelve great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and numerous devoted nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Henry; her parents; sister, Marie; son, William Henry; and son-in- law, John Shanahan. A funeral service will be on Tuesday, April 20, 2021, at 1:30 p.m. at Guardian Angel Catholic Church in Power with arrangements by Schnider Funeral Home. The final resting place is at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Great Falls. Memorial donations may be made to Guardian Angel Catholic Church in Power or the Power Senior Center. In respect for those not yet vaccinated, the family requests that guests wear a mask at the funeral.