Sheila Marie Verlanic

Sheila Torgerson Verlanic of Drummond, born April 10, 1932 in Butte, Montana to Emil and Winifred Torgerson, passed away after a hard-fought battle with cancer that she faced with strength and hope on December 1, 2022 in Missoula, Montana at the age of 90.

Sheila attended and graduated from Anaconda High School in 1950. Upon graduation she married Joe Verlanic that led to a 67-year marriage. She was raised a city girl, but her love of animals and the outdoors made ranching with her husband for 67 years a perfect fit. She loved cooking and entertaining; everyone was always welcome in her kitchen at the ranch. She was best known for her sourdough hotcakes and povitica.

She was actively involved in the Anaconda Garden Club where she held the position of president. She also served on the board of directors for the Intermountain Bus Company. While living in Drummond she was a member of the Granite County Cattlewomen and was a board trustee of the Granite County Medical Center. Much of her time was spent in her yard and in her flowerbeds, which were a real source of pride for her. Sheila spent many hours in bleachers and in grandstands following her children and grandchildren in their sporting endeavors.

Her greatest love, however was her family. She spoke almost every day to all four of her children and frequently to her many grandchildren. “Mums” was our secret-keeper, our consultant, our counselor, our foundation.  How very grateful and blessed our family has been to have her lead us through life for so long.

Sheila is preceded in death by her parents, older sister Winifred, and her husband Joe.

She is survived by her four children and spouses: daughter Theresa(Howie)Johnson, Anaconda; sons Ken(Teresa)Verlanic, Anaconda; Kevin(Sonja)Verlanic, Missoula; Pat(Cari)Verlanic, Drummond; first cousin, Wini Stokke, Anaconda; sister-in-law, Carolyn Bossard, Tucson AZ; twelve grandchildren: Kristin(Ryan) Wilson, Bozeman; Matthew(Lexi)Johnson, Missoula; Nick(Kelli)Johnson, Belgrade; Jim(Danielle) Verlanic, Helena; Jacqueline(Tyler) Paffhausen, Butte; Jennifer(Tom) Graham, Philipsburg; Joe(Josephine) Verlanic, Billings; Jeff Verlanic, New York City; Alex Verlanic(Noelle Pesanti), Butte; Andrew Verlanic(Tina Wetsch), Deer Lodge; Connor(Haley) Verlanic, Drummond and 19 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

A funeral mass for Sheila will be held on Friday, December 9, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church, 217 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Anaconda, MT. A one-hour visitation will take place prior to the funeral mass, beginning at 9:30 a.m. A reception will be held immediately following the funeral mass in the Hunthausen Center of Holy Family Church.  A graveside service will follow at 3:00 p.m. at Valley Cemetery in Drummond, MT.

Memorials in Sheila’s memory may be made to Grace Hospice of Missoula County, P.O. Box 212, Clinton, MT 59825.

Please visit below to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Sheila.

Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Home and Cremation Services has been privileged to care for Sheila and her family.

Grace Hospice of Missoula County
P.O. Box 212, Clinton MT 59825
Web: https://www.ghomc.org/