Shirley R. Vossler, 81, of Boulder passed away Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
Shirley was born in Bozeman, on July 3, 1944, to Lloyd and Clara Richardson. She lived in Idaho Falls, Missoula, and back in Bozeman until moving to Boulder in 1955. After staying above the grocery store for a year, the family moved to the Boulder Valley until her graduation from Jefferson County High School in 1962.
Shirley attended Montana State University for one year before moving to Great Falls to attend beautician school. She worked in Ennis for her aunt until meeting and marrying Tom Cook and moving back to Great Falls. Following her divorce from Tom, she worked in Missoula as a beautician. She then met Charlie Sena; in 1970, they moved to Elko, Nevada, where they married and had their son, Cory.
Shirley and Charlie moved in 1974 to Boulder, where Shirley worked in local beauty shops until opening her own shop in 1976. She continued as a beautician for 35 years until her retirement in 1999. Following her divorce from Charlie, Shirley met Lester Vossler. They were married in 1979 and remained together until Lester’s death in 2024.
Shirley was always active in the community. She played key roles in establishing the county fairgrounds, refurbishing and establishing the Boulder River Carousel, bringing a medical clinic to Boulder and organizing the annual 4th of July parade, as well as serving on the Jefferson County Food Share and School Boards.
In her later years, she truly enjoyed her time volunteering at the See and Save with her friends. She expressed her love of music by playing the piano for her church, playing bass guitar as a member of the Local Yokels band, and establishing a community handbell choir. She was always interested in activities with her grandkids and being a part of the family “village.”
Her faith became a very important part of her life. She dedicated over 40 years to First Baptist Church as worship leader, Sunday school teacher and board member. She joined many other women in the community participating in interfaith Bible study groups.
Shirley was preceded in death by her husband Lester; her parents Lloyd and Clara Richardson; her sister Connie Zendron; step-brothers Dan McCauley and Bruce Gilmer; brothers-in-law Larry Vossler, Lyle Vossler and Laurie Vossler; sister-in-law Lottie Vossler; daughter Jami Cook; and step-daughter Tashwa Kreinbrink.
She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law Cory and Lynnette Sena; grandson Coby and granddaughter Caitlyn; step-daughters Jacque Newbrey and JoAnne Poirier; step-son Charlie Sena; brother Jim Richardson; step-brother Doug McCauley; brothers-in-law Ronnie Zendron, Ed Hedlund and LeRoy Vossler; step-sisters Donna Gilmer, Debbie McCauley, Lisa McCauley and Jackie McCauley; sisters-in-law Patty Vossler, Lana Hedlund and Cathy Vossler; and numerous extended family, cousins, nephews and nieces.
She will be cremated and interred at the Boulder Cemetery columbarium. A celebration will be scheduled at a later date.
