Norma Corrine (Whitsell) Shaw, 87, of Fort Benton, a dutiful homemaker, volunteer 4-H leader, exceptional pie baker and jam maker, award winning crochet artist, legendary brook trout fisherwoman, tenacious entrepreneur, and loving mother and grandmother, passed peacefully in Great Falls on August 21, 2024.

Born to Edgar and Daisy (Wolfenbarger) Whitsell on June 18, 1937, in Hamilton Montana, she was a graduate of Great Falls High School. Just a few months after finishing high school, she married the love of her life, Jackson Edwin "Eb" Shaw of Fort Benton. When Eb was drafted into the Army, Norma faithfully followed him to Germany for a challenging, lonely year with one infant and another on the way, who would be born there. Upon returning to Fort Benton, she teamed with Eb raising livestock and small grains and starting their family on the Teton River ranch north of Fort Benton.

They raised five children in all – Rick, Corrine, Jackie, Sherry and Jason. When they retired from ranching, they owned a feed store in Great Falls, and then a dairy supply company in Corvallis, MT. From there they settled in Three Forks before finally coming home to Fort Benton. It is here where they found joy among their family until Eb passed in November of 2006.

Norma spent her remaining years traveling, crocheting, gardening and organizing photo albums of her grandchildren. She was a pint-sized powerhouse who enjoyed her independence, taking off on cross-country excursions alongside her faithful friend and Aunt, Velda. Always on the go, keeping her family on their toes.

Services will be held October 7, 2024, at First Christian Church at 11:00 am with Pastor Kit Miller officiating.
Memorials in Norma's honor may be made to the Goldstone Assisted Living in Great Falls. Benton Funeral Home is handling arrangements. Please visit Norma's online memorial page at www.bentonfh.com to send a card or leave a message of condolence for her family.

Survivors include her brother Del Whitsell of Great Falls, three daughters Corrine (Chuck) Protsman of Geraldine, Jackie Johnson and Sherry Starman, both of Fort Benton; two sons, Rick (Pam) Shaw of Missoula and Jason (Angie) Shaw of Billings; 11 grandchildren, Ashley (Curtis) Morton of Missoula, Garrett Shaw of Bozeman, Delisa Protsman of Great Falls, Jessie (Collin) Rice of Ennis, Kirk (Ronda) Protsman of Geraldine, Corey (Tanya) Callison of Power, Kristen (Jeff) Ballard of Billings, Kyle Callison of Billings, Tyler (Jenni) Starman of Carter, Levi (Evelyn) Starman of Helena, Dusty (Katie) Starman of Virginia Beach, VA; 23 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Eb, infant brother Gerald, sister Jane, and grandson Brian.