Moose's Saloon owner Shirley Miller dies

Shirley Miller, an owner of the popular Moose’s Saloon in Kalispell for more than 60 years, died Sunday in Kalispell. She was 82.

She and her husband David “Moose” Miller, spent a short time in Southern California after marrying in 1955. When she inherited a small tavern, The Corral, from her father, John Fournier, in 1957, they returned to Montana and began the hard work of creating Moose’s Saloon, a business that became an iconic watering hole and Kalispell landmark.

Shirley and Moose received several accolades through the years from the University of Montana, where Moose earned an anthropology degree and played for the Grizzlies, and Shirley attended in 1954-55.

In 1989 the Millers were the recipients of UM’s Flathead Valley Community Award for their active work not only in the Flathead community but also with the UM Alumni Association. A 1989 article in the Daily Inter Lake noted the Millers founded Roche Jaune, a company that for several years produced art medals, including national park medals, national bicentennial medals and Custer Battlefield medals.

Shirley was active in the local arts scene and volunteered at the Hockaday Museum of Art. She belonged to the Montana Watercolor Society and Safari Club International, and also was active at St. Matthew’s Church.

In 1996 Shirley and Moose were the joint recipients of the Montana Alumni Award, an honor recognizing their significant contributions to UM.

In addition to her community service, Shirley was a dedicated homemaker. She and Moose raised six children, and she was a fixture at their sporting events and activities.

A reception to honor Shirley will be announced at a later date. A full obituary will be published in the Daily Inter Lake on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Features editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 758-4421 or lhintze@dailyinterlake.com.