Nina Kirby

Nina Cecelia Kirby, 92, from Great Falls, Montana passed away Sunday February 21, 2015 at Peace Hospice of Montana of natural causes.Visitation will be held Wednesday, February 24, 2016 from 12 noon to 7:00 p.m. at Schnider Funeral Home. The funeral service will be Thursday, February 25, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at Our Saviors Lutheran Church. Burial will follow at Tiger Butte Cemetery and a celebration of life at the Belt Park Pavilion.Nina was born June 5, 1923 in Great Falls, Montana. She was the ninth child to Samuel and Helmina Johnson, and the only child to be born at a hospital. Nina was baptized and confirmed at Our Saviors Lutheran Church. She grew up on the ranch in Tiger Butte, and attended Neil Creek School until the sixth grade where she was the only student in her class. Nina graduated from Belt Valley High School in 1941 and attended the College of Great Falls. Growing up in a homesteading family brought great pride to Nina. She enjoyed the social gatherings at the Neil Creek School and fondly remembered the big Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners at the ranch with her siblings and cousins. She continued this tradition with her family.On July 4, 1939, she met the love of her life, Thomas Kirby, at the Belt Park Picnic. In the fall of 1942, Nina and Hulah Stokes Frank set off to seek their fortunes in Seattle; there she worked at a personnel office. In February 1943, Nina and Hulah headed for Hollywood, California and then Pittsburgh, California. There she worked in an Army dental clinic. Nina and Thomas were married May 7, 1943 in Pittsburgh, California. When Tom went overseas with the military, Nina returned to the ranch in Tiger Butte to help her brothers, Maynard and Chris.Together, Nina and Tom created a family consisting of six boys, which was her lifelong job. She did many things with her children, from being a Den Mother to cheering loudly during the many sporting events. This continued through to her grandchildren. She would always want a report on any of the games in which they were involved. She enjoyed watching football, baseball, and basketball. Nina was also employed as a secretary, cleaned houses and worked at The Brighten Up Shop. Having all boys, her granddaughters were very special to her, and she was finally able to put the cherished dresses she had saved to use.After retirement, Thomas and Nina enjoyed traveling. Among their many adventures around the United States, including Hawaii, they also visited England, France, Germany, Romania and Italy. Together they had a love for antiques, and would enjoy sharing the stories of the pieces of their collection. Nina made a memorable trip back to her parents home in Norway with her cousins. She had a passion for fishing, taking many grandkids along with. Nina also enjoyed playing golf with her brothers. Gardening was also a passion of Nina's. She loved her flower garden and was very proud of her roses. She was also very active in the Frontier American Daughters, VFW Post 1087, Sons of Norway, and Railroad Retirement Association.Nina was preceded in death by her loving husband of 72 years, Thomas Kirby; parents Samuel and Helmina Johnson; brothers Martin Johnson, Sigurd Johnson, Harold Johnson, Samuel Johnson, Chris Johnson, Orville Johnson, and Maynard Johnson; sisters Christine Coughlan; and sons Robert Kirby, Daniel Kirby, and Edward L. Kirby. Nina had a very caring heart and took care of her father Samuel Johnson and brother Harold Johnson until their deaths.She is survived by her sons, Thomas Francis Kirby of Great Falls, Samuel Roy (Suzanne) Kirby of Belt, and Timothy Kirby (Rita Graham) of Echo Lake; daughters-in-law Vicki Kirby of Brady, Brenda Link of Ridgeland, WI and Debra (Randy) Kirby of Great Falls; grandchildren Robert Kirby (son Zachary) and Samaria Kirby (daughter Victoria) of Havre, Traci (Earl) Kirby-Lanterman (daughter Rebecca, sons Lance and Cody), Laura (Nathan) Kirby-Wilson of Belt, Kerianne (Lance) Evans (son Ray) of Charlo, Samuel J. (Clancey) Kirby (son Samuel R. and daughter Chayse) of Armington, Daniel Kirby (son Sergio, daughters Aliana and Sasha), Matthew Kirby of Eau Claire, WI, Kady (Connor) Murphy (daughter Kirby) of Great Falls, HeatherChi Kirby (sons Seamus and Fergus) of Everett, WA, Daphne Kirby (daughter Ryker) of Billings, and Thomas Jordan Kirby of Billings.Memorials in Nina's memory may be made to Peace Hospice of Montana, 1101 26th St S, Great Falls, MT 59405 or Tiger Butte Cemetery c/o Roy Kirby, P.O. Box 551, Belt, MT 59412.