It is with great sadness and feelings of tremendous loss that we announce the passing of our loved one, Shirley Claire Kropp (Burton), 76 years old. Shirley has slipped the bonds of this life, achieving victory over death and is in the arms of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Shirley died peacefully at home of natural causes surrounded by her closest loved ones.

Shirley was born on August 29th, 1948, to Herb and Eula Burton in Manistique, MI. She graduated Manistique High School with honors in 1966 and by 1967 she married her husband of 57 years, Jesse Kropp Sr. Shirley was the oldest of 6 siblings and had a large extended family. She wanted to start a large family and by 1973 she had 5 children of her own.

In 1981, Shirley moved with her family to Boulder, MT, to the lure of the western lifestyle, big mountains and bigger skies. Shirley and her family would soon thereafter settle in Basin, MT. Shirley enjoyed spending time gardening, quilting, knitting and sewing. She was a crafter and would spend countless hours working on projects, building doll houses or other creations. Shirley always was busy; continually working on one project or another. She was a hard worker with a second-to-none work ethic.

Shirley had ample opportunities to travel, both domestically and internationally. She would take days or weeks long road trips throughout the US. Her travels took her to exotic and exciting places like South Padre Island, TX, Hawaii, Oman and Israel, among others.

In her later years, Shirley was never without a book in her hand, or a puzzle to complete. She had to keep her hands and her mind busy! She loved to go thrift store shopping or attend auctions, always looking for that next good deal. Shirley always cherished her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, looking forward to the next visit.

Shirley is survived by her husband, Jesse Kropp Sr. also of Basin, MT, her children Eula Crippen of Florence, OR, Katrina (Matthew) Lawson of Sullivan, MO, Jesse Jr (Suzanne) Kropp of Helena, MT, Rebecca (Matthew) Stassi of Katy, TX and Jeffrey Kropp of Missoula, MT; brothers Herbert Burton Jr and Scott Burton; sisters Bonnie Merritt and Lori Hamill; Grandchildren Ryanne, Ian, Benjamin, Hannah, Lucas, Aaron, Sophia, Brytni, Brandon and Kevin, and numerous great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins whom she loved dearly. She is preceded in death by her parents Herb and Eula Burton, her brothers Barry and Hal Burton all of Germfask, MI, and her grandson Andrew.

The celebration of Life for Shirley will be held at Simple Cremation Montana, 315 E. 6th Ave, Helena, MT 59601 on February 10th, 2025, at 3:00 PM MT.

Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.

John 5:24