Obituary: Nellie Rosalyn Sherman

Nellie Rosalyn Midge Sherman (88) of Butte, Montana, a former Stateline resident, passed away in Great Falls, Montana, on June 30, 2020.

Rosalyn was born on March 11, 1932, at her family’s homestead on the Bootlegger Trail east of Ledger, Montana. She was the youngest of six children that were born to Robert and Myrtle Midge.

She was known as “Nellie” to many, but as “Rosalyn” to others.

Rosalyn was an educator. She retired after 30 years as a teacher and superintendent. She was one of the first woman superintendents of the state of Montana. People that worked for Nellie Rosalyn when she was an administrator said that she was an effective, yet understanding, leader. She would take charge of schools that were not doing well and quickly elevate the educational standards.

Rosalyn was a member of the South Lake Tahoe Presbyterian church. She joined the choir there and was an asset to the group.

Nellie Rosalyn had a warm and outstanding singing voice. She was well-known for this and sang for literally hundreds of weddings, funerals, and special occasions. Rosalyn was also outgoing, fun loving, and remarkably beautiful, the life of the party! She had many close friends. She was generous and freely shared her resources with many. She passed on her love of music to her children. She was proud of her family and often commented on how much she loved her children and grandchildren.

After her retirement and the death of her beloved husband, Rosalyn spent many years living close to her youngest son, Chris, and his family. They lived in Stateline, Nevada, overlooking Lake Tahoe, and then moved to Butte in 2000.

Rosalyn was preceded in death by her cherished husband, Bill (died 1993), and two children, David (died 1994) and Diane (died 2017).

Nellie Rosalyn is survived by two sons: Richard (Eseta) Sherman of King Salmon, Alaska and Christopher “Chris” (Cindy) Sherman of Butte, Montana; two daughters: Deborah “Debbie” (Daniel “Tuck”) Sheasby of Great Falls, Montana and Susan “Sue” (Ronald “Ron”) Muir of Lynnwood, Washington; her sister, Marian Aaberge of Great Falls, Montana; twenty grandchildren; sixteen great grandchildren; and numerous nephews, nieces, great nephews, and great nieces.

A memorial service is planned; date and location will be announced later on the website of O’Connor Funeral home in Great Falls, Montana, O’ConnorFuneralHome.com.