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James Rubard
The remarkable life of former Libby resident James John Rubard, 81, of Washington, D.C., ended with his death on July 23, 2001, after enduring severe health problems for several years.
Son of John and Emma Rubard, Jim was the oldest of their four children born and raised in Libby. He graduated from Libby High School with the Class of 1936.
Jim attended Northwestern Business College in Spokane before enlisting in the U.S. Army in 1938.
He was assigned to the G2 Intelligence Corps, serving under Gen. Douglas MacArthur and stationed in Manila, when the Philippines surrendered to Japan in 1942. Jim was eventually taken to a prison camp at Osaka, Japan, and put to work digging a dry dock from the side of a mountain. It was pick and shovel work and 100 of the 500 prisoners of war died the first winter. Jim dropped from 135 pounds to 82 pounds and was barely able to work.
V-J Day marked not only the end of World War II, but also of his 3½ years as a prisoner.
After World War II ended, Jim remained in the service for another 23 years, retiring with the rank of major.
He then worked as a special agent for the CIA for 20 years.
In 1998 Jim was inducted into the Libby High School academic hall of fame. Although his career was dedicated to the service of his country, he never abandoned his pursuit of higher education.
Jim took night courses through the University of Maryland while stationed in Germany, at the Pentagon, and at Fort Meade, Md., graduating cum laude in 1970 with a bachelor degree in science.
Preceded in death by his wife Eleanor in 2000, and brother Raymond about a year ago, Jim is survived by sons Mark and Gary, who live with their families in the Washington, D.C. area; three granddaughters; sisters Bette Maston, Spokane, and Phyllis Urdahl, McAllen, Texas, and numerous n.ieces, nephews and cousins, some still living in the Libby area.
Beth Dempewolf
Beth Dempewolf, 73, died Thursday morning, Nov. 8, 2001, at her home in Libby.
She was born on Sept. 8, 1928, at Mitchell, S.D., to Clifford and Blanche Puckett.
She was preceded in death by her husband Bill Dempewolf in 1985.
Survivors include her children, Sheryl Eberly, Libby; Rocky Dempewolf, Roseburg, Ore.; Rhonda Shelly, Randy Dempewolf and Danny Dempewolf, all of Libby, and Lori Muscott, Breckinridge, Minn.; brother John Puyckett in Colorado and Edie Nienaber in Washington; 20 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation was from 1-8 p.m. on Friday at the Nelson and Vial Funeral Home and services were conducted at 10 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home chapel with the Rev. Robert Foote officiating.
Interment services followed at the City of Libby Cemetery.
Bernice Haines
Bernice M. Haines, 89, of Libby, died on Friday evening, Nov. 9, 2001, at her home.
She was born on July 22, 1912, at Alexandria, S.D., to Henry Brummer and Peterka Smith Brummer.
Bernice married Orville Haines on Oct. 2, 1937, in Columbus.
They lived in Broadview from 1918 until 1939, when they moved to Libby.
Bernice was a member of Christ Lutheran Church and her love for the Lord was demonstrated in her love for her family.
She was preceded in death by her husband Orville on Jan. 1, 1969, seven brothers, two sisters, a child and a grandchild.
Survivors include five children, Charles Haines, Enterprise, Ore.; Wayne Haines, Libby; Betty Ann Decker, Sandpoint, Idaho; William Haines, Libby, and James Haines, Odessa, Wash.; nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Services were conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Christ Lutheran Church with the Rev. Les Nelson officiating.
Interment services were at the City of Libby Cemetery. Visitation was from 2-8 p.m. Monday at the Nelson & Vial Funeral Home.
Orville Nelson
Orville W. Nelson, 72, of Libby, died on Nov. 7, 2001, at Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane.
He was born on May 22, 1929, at Dooley, to Einar and Ada Nelson.
Orville served with the U.S. Army during the Korean War and was discharged in 1952.
A skilled craftsman, Orville worked as a carpenter in the Libby area for many years until retiring.
He was a member of the Carpenters’ Union and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Arden Nelson, sister Donna Eddy and grandson Christopher Johnson.
Survivors include children Mike Nelson and his wife Karen, Spokane; Bill Johnson and his wife Jenny, Spokane; Ken Nelson and his wife Dotty, Kila; and Nick Nelson and Joanne Wentz, both of Williston, N.D.; 11 grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews and his dog Queeny.
Military graveside services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday at the City of Libby Cemetery.
Arrangements are under direction of Nelson & Vial Funeral Home.
Mathilde Orr
Former longtime Libby resident Mathilde Johnson Orr, 94, retired J. Neils Lumber Company stenographer, died Oct. 29, 2001, at Deer Park, Wash.
Tillie, as she was known in Libby, graduated from Libby High School with the Class of 1926.
She married Don Orr of Libby in 1937 and he preceded her in death.
Tillie was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and the Sons of Norway.
She worked as a stenographer for J. Neils Lumber Company until retiring.
She moved to Deer Park 11 years ago.
Survivors include daughter Barbara Morrison, Otis, Orchards, Wash., three grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Thornhill Valley Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements and no service was held.
Donald Osborne
Former Libby resident Donald Neal Osborne, 62, died on Nov. 3, 2001, at the Community Hospital in Bonners Ferry, Idaho, following a long illness.
Don is survived by five children, Douglas, Bradley, Kathleen and Rae Ann, all in California, and Allen Osborne, Libby; five step-children, Gary Zoutte, Cory Zoutte and Aaron Warren, in Washington, and Tery Zoutte and Sheri Zoutte of Libby, and numerous grandchildren.
Stanley Toczek
Stanley J. Toczek, 94, died Nov. 6, 2001, at the Libby Care Center.
He was born on Oct. 14, 1907, at Chicago, Ill., to John and Anna Toczek.
A lifelong resident of Chicago, he worked for the Kellogg Switchboard & Supply Company and later IT&T until his retirement.
Following retirement he worked as a security guard in the Chicago area.
Toczek had lived in Libby since 1994.
He was preceded in death by his wife Julia in 1993 and son Gary in 1939.
Survivors include daughter Bonnie Toczek and son Ron Toczek, both of Libby; sister Marie Kasper in Missouri, five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Joseph Catholic Church.
Rosary and parish vigil services were at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Nelson & Vial Funeral Home Chapel.
Trudie Woods
Libby native and longtime resident Trudie A. Woods, 55, died Monday, Nov. 12, 2001, at St. John’s Lutheran Hospital.
She was born on March 10, 1946, at Libby, to Ernie and Trudy Wood.
Raised and educated at Libby, Trudie graduated from Libby High School with the Class of 1964.
She married Jerry Woods on Aug. 27, 1966.
They lived in Alabama and at Havre and Columbia Falls before returning to Libby where they operated The Shoe Shack.
Trudie worked at Ed’s Threads clothing store from 1982-2000, and at Rosauers Pharmacy until retiring recently due to ill health.
She was preceded in death by her parents and brother Ernest (Topper) Wood.
Survivors include sons Barry Woods and his wife Joycelyn and their sons, Conor and Miles, and Greg Woods, all of Portland, Ore.; daughter Jeralyn Jones and husband Brock and their children Isaak, Niklaus and Jessika; brothers Dick Wood and his wife Janice, and Tom Wood and his wife Melanie; all of Libby; sister-in-law Connie Wood, nieces Karen Stickney and her husband Bob, Caral Hilliard and her husband Jim, Betty Joe Wood and her husband Scott Beagle, all of Libby; Terri Fisher and her husband Damon, Spokane; nephews Gary Wood and his wife Kathy, Joe Wood and his wife Colleen, all of Libby, and Steve Wood, Spokane, and numerous great-nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.
Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday at St. Joseph Catholic Church with the Rev. Ray Hannigan as celebrant. Interment services will follow in the City of Libby Cemetery.
Parish vigil and rosary will be at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Nelson & Vial Funeral Home Chapel.
Remembrances may be made to the Libby Volunteer Fire Department, Box 796, Libby, or to Wings, Box 1550, Libby.
