Shirley E. Halverson Bolton, 87, of Twin Falls, Idaho passed away Wednesday, February 3, 2021, at Serenity Transitional Care, Twin Falls, Idaho.

Shirley Eleanor (Halverson) Bolton was born during the Great Depression to Andrew Gearhart Halverson and Carrie Mae Todd Halverson on January 30, 1934. It was a frigid Magic Valley Winter’s night in a small farmhouse just outside Castleford, Idaho, near her maternal grandparents’ original homestead. She was an only child and spent a lifetime wishing she had brothers and sisters.

When she was a few months old, Shirley’s folks moved to 160 acres southeast of Twin Falls, Idaho, where her father farmed for the next half century. She rode the bus to attend Bickel School, then the original Twin Falls Middle/High School when it was in the beautiful historic building across from City Park. She graduated in 1952. Shirley was a member of the concert choir, the yearbook staff, Quill & Scroll, and a baton majorette. Later in life, she attended night classes to become accomplished in bookkeeping and office management.

Shirley married Robert E. Bolton in April 1954. They raised two children, Gregory Alan Bolton and Carolyn Rose Bolton. Bob and Shirley divorced in 1981.

Shirley was often recognized by many when out and about in the community of Twin Falls -- having worked for a time at Twin Falls Bank & Trust before becoming the office manager for the medical practice of Charles Wurster, M.D. (across 4th Avenue from Twin Falls Public Library) until his retirement. She then worked in payroll and accounts payable at Magic Valley Memorial Hospital on West Addison Avenue until her own retirement in 2004. She loved animals, creating ceramics, picnicking at Steer Basin in the South Hills, going out for pie at Idaho Joe’s, and visiting the Oregon Coast. She was an avid reader and life-long student of Bible studies. She loved the old hymns of the faith.

Shirley was a life-long Baptist. Her grandfather, Isaac Todd, helped establish the First Baptist Church in Castleford, Idaho. Her name and that of her parents are in the cornerstone of the First Baptist Church building on Shoshone Street in Twin Falls, Idaho. She became a member of Twin Falls Grace Baptist Church in 1967 just after it was founded, and her heart remained with that congregation the remainder of her life. She served as church pianist for many years, substituting as organist whenever needed.

Survivors include Shirley’s children, Greg Bolton and Carolyn Bolton both of Twin Falls, Idaho; grandchildren, Steven (Cordelia) Bolton of Twin Falls, Idaho; Melissa (Zack) Talseth of Helena, Montana; Andrew (Julia) McFerron of Stayton, Oregon; and Kimberly (Nick Laspina) McFerron of Seattle, Washington. She is also survived by 8 great-grandchildren.

The family wishes to thank Serenity Transitional Care for their steadfast devotion to and care of Shirley for the last 2-½ years of her life, and Dr. Ryan Callahan of St. Luke’s Orthopedics for his immeasurably caring and humane approach to his profession. His kindness will long be remembered.

Cremation services are under the care and of Serenity Funeral Chapel & Cremation Services of Idaho, 502 2nd Ave. N., Twin Falls, Idaho. For tributes and condolences go to www.serenityfuneralchapel.com. At Shirley’s request, no services will be held.
Please send memorial donations to the Twin Falls Animal Shelter in Shirley’s name.

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