Shirley Mingus, 84, a life-long resident of Harney County, passed away July 7 at her home in Harney with son, Jon, and daughter-in-law, Nikki, at her side.

Shirley was born at home on the Silvies River (Dam Ranch)  on Dec. 22, 1935, to Lottie (Whiting) and Vern Bossuot, joining siblings Alan and Judy. She grew up in Harney County, graduating from Burns High School in 1954. She loved riding horses and was the 1953 Harney County Fair Court Rodeo Queen.

In 1956, she and Gary Morgan were married in Winnemucca, Nev. They had three children, Garan,  Jon (known as Craig to the family), and Judy (known as Baby Judy to distinguish her from her aunt Judy). Shirley and Gary later divorced.

Shirley began her accounting career after high school as a teller at the bank, then worked in the office at the Edward Hines Lumber Company doing payroll and bookkeeping. It was there that she met James Mingus. They married in the early 70s. They bought ranch land in the North Harney area in the late 70s that had only corrals and a windmill and began the work of  building a home and outbuildings. In the middle of that, the Hines mill shut down.

There wasn’t much work to be found in Harney County at that time. Determined not to lose their investment, Shirley traveled to work in South Dakota and Texas before returning to Harney County to work as a bookkeeper for Bob Otley. There were a few years in the interim when she partnered with Ted Turner in a well pump business . Her goal was to earn enough to retire.

Retirement for Shirley meant working full time instead of part time on the ranch. She loved the ranch work, raising cattle with James and working with the horses. A highly energetic person, Shirley was up and out early with the stock and still climbing up and over fences late into life.

Two things were particularly important to Shirley—family and work. She enjoyed gatherings at the Horse Springs Field and brother Alan’s cabin on Skull Creek with family and extended family.

In addition to family and ranching, Shirley enjoyed hunting, riding 4-wheelers, snowmobiling, and activities in the Rebekahs. She was also a member of Harney County Cattlewomen.

The tough pioneer spirit was part of Shirley’s character. She was a hard worker with strong family values. She preferred old fashioned traditions and methods and tended to look back fondly on ‘the old days’.

Not all work, Shirley loved to laugh and have fun. She will be remembered for that joy of laughter, her feisty spirit, and her love of life.

Shirley is survived by brother, Alan Bossuot; son, Jon Craig Morgan, and wife, Nikki; former husband, Gary Morgan; grandchildren, Shane, Sterling, Morgan, Brooks, Ridg, Parc, and Meagan; and numerous great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Judy Raymond; daughters, Judy and Garan; and husband, James Mingus.

Funeral arrangements were handled by LaFollette’s Chapel. A graveside service was held at Burns Cemetery on July 14.