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Norm Rose
Former Libby resident Norman Earl Rose, 46, of Tacoma, died of heart failure at Swedish Ballard Hospital in Seattle on Feb. 16, 2002.
He was born on Aug. 7, 1955, at Libby, the fifth child of Arthur and Emily Wemple Rose.
Growing up in Montana, Norm developed a love of nature, hiking in the woods, picking huckleberries and swimming in area lakes.
After graduating from Libby High School Norm attended Bates Technical College and Clover Park Technical College in Tacoma.
He worked for various lumber mills in Montana and Washington and for the past five years worked as a maintenance analyst for Boeing.
His life was full, with family, friends and love of nature. Among other things, Norm will be remembered for his gentle, loving spirit, sense of humor, singing, guitar playing and his absolute faith in God.
He expressed himself best through his photography, writing and passion for music. He sang with the Totemaires and Cantare Chorale.
A devoted husband, father and grandfather, Norm is survived by Linda, his wife of 24 years; daughters Erin Tsuji and her husband Steve and Miriam Mesa and her husband Mike, and son Jonathan Rose; his mother Emily Rose; siblings Gerry Rose, Peggy Brothers, Sylvia Rose-Johnson, Becky Beimler, Mark Rose and Bill Rose; granddaughters Shayla and Mahlia and numerous other relatives.
A celebration of his life will take place at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Fern Hill Methodist Church in Tacoma.
Arrangements are under direction of Rill Chapel, Pendleton-Gilchrist Funeral Home and Crematory.
Leslie Sathre
Leslie G. Sathre, 62, of Troy, died March 12, 2002, at St. John’s Lutheran Hospital.
He was born on Jan. 27, 1940, at Park Rapids, Minn., to Darwin and Edna Sathre.
He came to Montana with his family in 1952 and was raised and educated at Livingston and Clyde Park, graduating from high school at Clyde Park in 1958.
Leslie served with the U.S. Navy from 1958 until receiving an honorable discharge in 1962.
After attending college at MSU-Bozeman and later at Ellensberg, Wash., Leslie worked as a chef throughout the northwestern states and on fishing boats along the Alaska coast.
He was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying hunting, fishing and solitude with his dog Albert.
Survivors include his parents, Darwin and Edna Sathre, Big Timber; sisters Nina Hoffman, Big Timber, and Nancy Gilbert, Clyde Park, and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by sisters Phyllis Purkey and Patricia (Pat) Scott.
Services will be conducted at Clyde Park.
Memorials may be made to a local chapter of the Humane Society.
Local arrangements are by Nelson & Vial Funeral Home.
Pauline Simurdak
Pauline A. Simurdak, 81, of Libby, died Friday, March 15, 2002, at the Libby Care Center.
She was born on Feb. 3, 1921 at Malden, Wash., to Edward and Maggie Siegel and was raised and educated at Metaline Falls, Wash.
Pauline married Frank Simurdak on Aug. 24, 1939, at Reno, Nev.
In 1945 they came to Libby where they owned and operated the Gambles Store until retiring in 1970.
While raising her family, Pauline was active in the Girl Scout and Boy Scout programs and other activities that involved her children.
She was a longtime member of St. Joseph Parish and the altar society.
Survivors include her husband Frank, Libby; daughters Judy Lenmark, Naples, Italy, and Rosemary Comes and her husband Michael, Great Falls; sons, Frank Simurdak Jr. and his wife Mary, Rainbow, Texas; Tom Simurdak, Wenatchee, Wash., and John Simurdak, Borden, Ind.; 11 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Mass of the Resurrection was celebrated at 11 a.m. Tuesday at St. Joseph Catholic Church with the Rev. Ray Hannigan as celebrant. Interment will follow at the City of Libby Cemetery.
Arrangements are under Nelson & Vial Funeral Home where parish vigil services were conducted at 7 p.m. on Monday.
Hazel Laffoon
Longtime Troy resident Hazel L. Laffoon, 98, died March 12, 2002, at the Libby Care Center.
She was born on Aug. 15, 1903, at Pray, near Livingston, one of the 12 children of George and Minnie Case.
She grew up on the family ranch near Livingston, and married Carl Laffoon there in 1920.
Hazel and Carl came to Troy in 1924 and although they returned to Livingston for a brief period they moved back to Troy in 1931
During World War II they lived temporarily in Washington state where Hazel worked as a nurse’s aide at McCaw Hospital in Walla Walla.
Carl died in 1973.
A lifetime member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Hazel was a founding member of the Troy church.
She was a gardener extraordinaire, raising excellent vegetables and beautiful roses. Hazel was known as “Grammie” to everyone.
Survivors include daughters Alcine Lien and Arlene Vial, both of Troy; sisters Iris Laffoon, Troy and Betty Schnell and her husband George, Grand Junction, Colo; grandchildren Cheri Osterberg and her husband John, Henderson, Nev.; Darryl Lien and his wife Kim, Troy; Linda Kesselring and her husband Mike, Crawford, Neb., and Janet DeLeo and her husband John, Spokane, 12 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.
Services will be conducted on Tuesday, March 19, at 2 p.m. at Troy Christian Fellowship with Pastor Elwood Boyd officiating.
Interment will follow at Milnor Lake Cemetery under the direction of Nelson & Vial Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to Troy Ambulance, Box 641, Troy MT 59935.
Lester Barr
Lester Milton Barr, 71, of Libby, died on Friday, March 8, 2002, at St. John’s Lutheran Hospital.
He was born on Aug. 3, 1930, at Libby, to Arthur and Grace Van Dyke Barr.
Over the years he worked for Bolyard’s Grocery, on the Libby Dam Project and for C&L Plumbing.
He enjoyed many fishing trips to McGinnis Meadows with his parents, always bringing back a good mess of nice-sized trout.
Lester liked to pick huckleberries with his mother and sister-in-law Frankie up in the Yaak. They would pick until dark because his mom wouldn’t leave until she picked a patch clean.
Lester also enjoyed playing the guitar and singing western songs. He was an excellent dancer, especially jitterbugging. He enjoyed hunting as well as fishing and picking huckleberries.
The greatest day in his life was the day Les said “yes” to Jesus, confessed his sins, repented, and was washed pure and clean by the blood of Jesus.
Although missed on earth he is now in the presence of his lord and savior Jesus Christ and united with Mother and Dad Barr, Aunt Vina Detjens, Grandma Barr and cousins Kelly and Elaine Rayson and all the saints who have gathered together on the other shore.
Survivors include sisters Rosella Lyon, Edmonds, Wash., Arlene Parker, Arcata, Calif., and Marlys Barr, Kalispell; brother Phil Barr, Libby, and many nieces and nephews.
Services will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Wednesday at the Kootenai Chapel in Troy.
Arrangements are under direction of the Nelson & Vial Funeral Home.
Visitation will be from 1-8 p.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home.
Alexander Best
Former Libby resident Alexander H. Best, 85, of Electric City, Wash., died on March 9, 2002, at Coulee Community Hospital.
He was born on Aug. 1, 1916, at Deer Park, Wash., to Alexander and Laura Best.
He was educated at Deer Park and when he was 12 years old he started working with his father as a well digger.
He married Frances Wheeler at Eugene, Ore., on June 2, 1942.
They lived throughout the west where Best worked in the mining industry.
His hobbies included hunting, fishing, woodworking, gardening and playing with his grandchildren.
Survivors include his wife Frances, Electric City; sons Terry, Libby, and Gerry, Beatty, Nev.; daughter Karla Mintle, Wilbur, Wash.; nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
At his request no services will be held.
Arrangements are under direction of the Strate Funeral Home in Grand Coulee.
