Windh/Freise/Maurstad genealogy - Person Sheet
Windh/Freise/Maurstad genealogy - Person Sheet
NameShirley Mae MONTAG
Birth1 Oct 1924, Visalia, Tulare County, California. Baptized April 6, 1948 in Tulare
Death5 Apr 2016, Visalia, Tulare County, California
ReligionEpiscopal
Misc. Notes
Shirley married Carl in 1991 at age 66 after his first wife had died. In 1942 she had married Jack Russell and been widowed in 1944 (one child). Then she married George Laveres in 1954 and was divorced from him in 1976 (two children).

An obituary published April 21, 2016, in the Tulare Advance-Register & Visalia Times-Delta

Shirley Windh passed away on April 5, 2016 at her home in Visalia at the age of 91 after a brief illness.

Shirley was born to Shreve Montag and Gladys Barton Montag on October 1, 1924 in Tulare, CA. She was a proud "Redskin" graduating from Tulare Union High School in 1942. Shirley briefly attended UCLA during WWII, then returned to Tulare. Shirley was active in Las Madrinas Guild of Tulare County, St. Johns Episcopal Church of Tulare, Tulare Women's Golf, member of Visalia Country Club, and Valley Oak Quilt Guild. She enjoyed getting away to Palm Desert, Carmel and Cayucos Beach with family and friends. She and Carl were avid golfers and she was an accomplished quilter.

In 1942 Shirley married Jack Russell of Tulare, he was a First Lieutenant in the Army, and was reported missing in action on May of 1944. Her second marriage was to Dr. George D. Lavers, they were married for 22 years. She then married Carl Windh and they were married for 20 years until he passed away in 2011.

She is survived by daughters Susan Gay Russell Calosso (Michael) of Stockton, and Janet Shirley Lavers Lange (Curt) of Tulare. Grandchildren Brenda Calosso Pozzo (Stephen) of Stockton, Lori Calosso King (Jeff) of Lodi, and Sherri Calosso of Pacific Palisades; Grandchildren Jared Lange of Tulare and Michelle Lange of Los Angeles. Great grandchildren Dominic Pozzo of Sacramento, Santino Pozzo of Redwood City, Cameron King and Palmer King of Lodi, Giulia Lange and Carrson Lange of Tulare; Step-children Teresa Windh McGowan (Brian) of Livermore, Tobias Windh of Visalia. Step-granddaughters, Megan McGowan of San Francisco and Shannon McGowan of Mt. Shasta and Step grandson Justin Windh (Courtney) of Seattle.

Shirley was preceded in death by her son David James Lavers. The family would like to thank the caregivers from Kaweah Delta Private Home Care and Kaweah Delta Hospice for the wonderful care they gave our mother and a special thanks to Mary Butler.

Upon Shirley's request there will be no funeral service. A private celebration of life will be held at a later date. Donations may be made to a
charity of your choice. A memorial tribute may be offered by logging onto www.salseranddillard.com
Spouses
Death12 May 1944, Germany
Marriage10 Oct 1942, Fresno, CA
ChildrenSusan Gay (1944-)
Birth30 Apr 1920, Chicago, Illinois
Death31 Mar 2010, Exeter, Tulare County, CA
OccupationMD
Marriage14 Jul 1954, Tulare, California
Divorce12 Jan 1976
ChildrenJanet Shirley (1955-)
 David James (1958-2012)
Death12 Jan 2011, Visalia, Tulare County, California
Birth20 Feb 1931, Aylesbury, Saskatchewan, Canada
OccupationAuto Dealer In California
EducationAir Force
ReligionLutheran
FatherCarl (Karl) Gottfrid WINDH (1881-1940)
Misc. Notes
Obituary from the Viselia Times-Delta on Jan. 19, 2011.

Carl was born on February 20, 1931 in Ayleburysbury, Saskatchewan, Canada to Carl and Serena Windh; therefore he later had to apply for US citizenship. He was the youngest of ten children. At the age of 79, he passed away peacefully and gracefully surrounded by his family. Carl touched many lives with his compassion, practicality and friendship. Everyone who knew him will miss his humor, generosity and loving nature.

Carl grew up in Tacoma, Washington, graduated from Stadium High School and attended Seattle University. He served in the US Air Force before he began his career with GMAC and married Myrna Swarm. Carl moved his family to Northern California and continued to work for GMAC for a total of 14 years before he ventured into the car business with the Putnam brothers. In 1981 Carl and Jim Putnam moved to Visalia and began the Putnam-Windh auto dealership group.

In 1988 he lost his wife, Myrna, of 31 years. After a few years Carl met and dated Shirley Lavers. They have been happily married since 1991. Carl was lucky to have met and loved two incredible women. In 1997 the years of retirement began… he now had the time for endless golfing, gardening, and reading. He spent many days at the Visalia Country Club and loved to be in the yard, especially his garden. He was an avid reader and sports fan. He entertained family and friends with his keen sense of humor and his “thumb trick.” He approached life with practicality and good sense and was loved by his family and friends alike.

Carl was preceded in death by his parents Carl and Serena Windh, wife Myrna Lou, brothers-Perry, Lloyd, Milton and John, and sisters-Ruth and Jewel. He is survived by his loving wife of 20 years, Shirley Windh; daughter Teresa and her husband Brian McGowan and grand-daughters Megan and Shannon; son Tobias and grandson Justin; sisters- Elaine Schurb, Marion Bowman, and Doris Granito; step-daughter Gay and her husband Mike Calosso and grandchildren Brenda and her husband Stephen Pozzo, Lori and husband Jeff King, and Sherri Calosso; step-daughter Janet and husband Curt Lange and grandson Jared and wife Brittney, grand-daughter Michelle Lange; stepson David Lavers and five great-grandchildren.

"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference; that I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with You forever in the next."

A private family burial will be held. No visitation.
Marriage1 Feb 1991, Fresno, CA
Last Modified 21 Mar 2024Created 1 Dec 2024 using Reunion for Macintosh