Cleone Mae Shotnokoff Amestoy, 87, of Great Falls, passed peacefully away on Saturday, April 15, 2017, surrounded by her loving family.  A Visitation will be held Thursday, April 20th from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM in the Rose Room Chapel at Croxford Funeral Home.  A private family and friends Memorial Service will be held this upcoming Saturday, June 24, 2017 at 3 PM at the family home, 111 Riverview 1E, Great Falls, to reunite Albert and Cleone into Eternity. The family would be honored to have your presence.

Born on September 14, 1929 in Wolf Point, MT to Annie and Phillip Shotnokoff, Cleone was raised in eastern Montana.  She received her early education moving throughout eastern Montana school districts.  Her favorite school was at Fort Union, where she spent countless hours collecting arrowheads.  This set the stage for her future calling of collecting collectables, such as dolls, china, figurines, recipes and family memorabilia.  She graduated from Hinsdale High School, traveled to college in St. Paul, Minnesota where she attended Concordia Business College.  During her two years of study, she earned an Associate Degree in Stenography.

On June 27, 1948, Cleone married Albert Amestoy in Hinsdale, MT.  They were happily married until his death in October, 2004.  She worked in retail sales at The Paris of MT, then in the cosmetology department at Osco Drug.  In 1977 she and Albert became owners of the Trade Winds Family Restaurant in Glasgow, MT, selling it in 1979 when Albert retired and moved back to Great Falls.  At that time Cleone became manager of the MT State Liquor Store, at the downtown location, until 1994, at which time they joined their daughter, Candie at Candie’s Soup D’Jour until 2006.  Upon retiring, she became active in all her beloved hobbies. 

Cleone loved gardening, cooking, baking, decorating and spending time with her family.  She loved butterflies and birds.  She was active in the Women’s Circle while they were in Glasgow. 

Those who have preceded her in death include her parents; her loving husband, Albert; infant daughter, Charlene; grandson, Collin Nicaise; sister, Elaine Hensen.

Cleone is survived by her two daughters, Cheryl (Dick) Nicaise and Candace Amestoy; son, Van Amestoy; brother, Dale (Francis) Shotnokoff; grandchildren, Chad (Lisa) Nicaise and Cory Nicaise; five great-grandchildren, Chase, Brooke, Emily, Conar and Walker.

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