Margie's 90th - Ard

Marge,

Happy 90th Birthday to one of the greatest ladies I have ever known. I wish you all the very best on this occasion. I just wanted to tell you how very special you are to me. The hospitality you offer in your home, the humor, the good eats and good times over the years are priceless. I am so blessed to have someone like you in my life. May the good Lord continue to bless and keep you for many more years.

Thanks for allowing me to be part of your family and for your special daughter's hand. She is a very special part of my life. She is very dear and special to me and my hat's off to you and Ross for raising such a wonderful person.

I know that you may think that this birthday is not that big of an occasion but I am going to tell you this is a big deal and by darn you are going to celebrate it. ;May all the very best things in life come to you in the coming years. May God continue to bless and keep you.

Sincerely,

Your favorite Son-in-law,

Ard

Margie's 90th - Janet

Dear Mom,

Happy 90th Birthday!!! I hope you have a magnificent birthday!

I'm so lucky to have you as my confidante, my mom and my friend. You have been a great example to me throughout my life. I wish I were half the woman you are! I appreciate all the hard work and sacrifice you've given to make ;my life what it is today. ;I remember when you worked at the drug store, and we went up there to see you at work and got "swamp water" soda, and the days when you'd work all day at the Forest Service and then come home and still prepare supper for all of us and kept the house in order, I don't know how you kept up the pace.

Remember the ;times we used to count my tips when I worked at J.B's as a waitress?

I remember when the Teton Dam broke and we waded back into the house. I marvel at your courage, I don't know how you kept your composure seeing the devastation to the house.

I remember all the good meals you cooked for us throughout the years, and in the j"olden days" when we made homemade root beer and put it in the cellar. You make the best pink circus popcorn int he world - I believe you're famous for it!

I'm so glad we were able to go on some trips together. The trip to Expo in Canada (remember losing your sausage rolls in the rental car that we never found?), our cruise to Alaska, and trips to the Albuquerque BAlloon Fiesta, just to name a few. What a blast, I hope you had as much fun as I did!

Thanks for always letting us come stay whenever there is a holiday or a three-day weekend. No matter what the weather, we BBQ outside, and at Thanksgiving time when we go on our tree-getting expeditions and come ;home to a hot meal and angel food cake with pink frosting, the memories from those get-togethers will last forever.

Your sense of humor and wise sayings are an absolute delight!

Words can't express ;my gratitude to you for always being there for me. I always knew I could count on you, no matter what. I would be lost without you.

I hope you have many more birthdays and that you always enjoy good health and happiness.

Lots and lots of love!

Janet

Margie's 90th - Jason

When I think about Grandma I instantly am reminded of her incredibly original jokes, which come out of nowhere and are always hilarious! She usually would sit back and seemed to be waiting for the perfect time to add in a line that was sure to make everyone haugh.

There are a few things I absolutely love about Grandma: She gives the best hugs in the world! There are few things that come close to her loving hugs. She also tops the list with the best pasta salad known to man. My love for pasta started with Grandma's dish far before I went on my mission to Italy.

Grandma Shirley will always have a special place in my heart! I hope and pray my kids and their kids can have grandparents even half as good as mine!

Jason

Margie's 90th - Brandon

Grandma:

First and foremost, I wish you a happy 90th birthday! I am grateful for the opportunity to enjoy your company over the years. The time I spent with you was always enjoyable and my memories of visiting you are particularly vivid. I recall looking with anticipation for your house as we approached in our van for the Sunday evening visit. We had this contest to see who could see Grandma's house first. Sometimes I claimed to have seen your house, even though it was not yet in sight. Upon arrival, I would run to the front door. The door would sometimes stick, requiring me to apply my shoulder against the door several times before barging in. As I ran across the handmade rug into the kitchen and immediately hear the sound of your laugh. There is something about your laugh that is so comforting; small wonder that Mrs. Bird incorporated it into her vocabulary.

Our reluctance to leave your house was always evident in the slow manner in which we ;moved toward our car. We got our belongings together, talked some more in the kitchen, moved to the entry way, talked some more, moved onto the porch, talked some more, and eventually we got into our car. You never let us leave without waving goodbye; we turned on the dome light so you could see us waving back. I will carry that image of you and Grandpa waving to us for all the rest of my days.

You are a fantastic grandmother and a wonderful friend.

I love you,

Brandon Shirley

Margie's 90th - Brett

One of the favorite times I spent with Grandma and Grandpa (a favorite time in my life, really) was the summer of 1995. Brandon and I got a job moving sprinkler pipe in a field near their house. Six nights a week, we would go to their house to spend the night because we had to be in the field at six the next morning. Almost every night, we would sit and chat over drinks and ice-creamy treats supplied by the Schwan's Man. Then, we would watch an hour of the Three Stooges, and Grandma and Grandpa would head off to bed.

Sitting down and chatting with them became one of the highlights of my day. It was during this time, I really developed a relationship with Grandma and Grandpa. I loved seeing how the two of them would interact. I loved hearing about how different things were when she was a kid. And also, getting the dirt on things my dad (and aunt and uncles) did as kids.

So, Happy Birthday, Grandma! I know you are a humble woman, but don't you dare think you haven't done that much for all of us.

We love you!

Brett, Tara, Gwen, and Boston

Margie's 90th - Jenna

Grandma, I've always been a big fan of yours. My earliest memories of you are climbing into your lap while you sat in your bar stool, my tummy full of candy from the candy bowl, pink popcorn, and sandwiches made out of rolls. While growing up, we usually just saw you on Sundays and holidays so most of my memories of you are also memories of good food. Barbecues in the rain, Thanksgiving with Mrs. Bird asking "Whatareyoudoing?" while we "took the curse off the food," and hundreds of Sunday dinners.

I remember lots of laughing and listening to you and Grandpa's stories. I loved when the guitars came out, and we all enjoyed the music and singing together. I was proud when photo albums came out and people commented that I resemble you when you were younger.

I look forward to the day that our different ages no longer separate us, the day we will be together in Heaven, two women, two friends, our bodies unhampered by age or mortal cares, when we can enjoy an association as peers. We will laugh and laugh and laugh, I just know it! Even as a little girl I remember wishing I could play with the little girl that grew up to become my Grandma. So that is my birthday wish to you, Grandma, a wish for those future conversations in Heaven, when I can really get to know your soul. I love you so much and as so blessed to have you as my Grandma Shirley.

Happy 90th Birthday to my sweet Grandma.

Love,

Jenna

Margie's 90th - Jeff

Dear Grandma Shirley,

Happy 90th birthday! Wow! I can't begin to express my gratitude to you for all you've done for me through the years. I'll always remember fondly the memories of visiting your house and being blessed to associate with you and Grandpa. I learned at a very young age that you and Grandpa were great people I wanted to emulate. I have always admired your nonchalant demeanor and how you never let little things bother you. Too many people in this life are pulled in ;different directions by their emotions, but I never saw that from ;you and I thank ;you for showing me that example. Your sense of humor is also something that I'll always remember, and how you always found ways to look for the good in every situation, while not taking things too seriously. You are truly a great example to our entire family.

I hope you have a great birthday and want you to know that I love you and appreciate you for all you've done for me. I can't begin to thank you enough for all the help you gave me to help me go on my mission, and I'll forever be grateful to you and Grandpa for that tremendous opportunity. I hope you're feeling well and that things are happy for you on this joyous occasion, even though it's probably hard for you to have the spotlight on you! Ashleigh and Maelynn send their love as well and we hope this is an incredible day for you!

Love,

Jeff, Ashleigh, and Maelynn