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Kristine Eldridge
Kristine Elizabeth (Kuntz) Eldridge, 55, died Jan. 7, 2010, in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, following a battle with cancer.
She was born Oct. 24, 1954, in Big Timber to Albert and Betty Kuntz. She graduated from Libby High School in 1973 and later moved to Rathdrum, Idaho, where she married
Alan Eldridge. They were united in August 1976 in Coeur d’Alene. The couple had two children and later divorced in 2006.
Mrs. Eldridge worked various jobs, including nurse, waitress, telephone company receptionist and most recently with T-Mobile in Post Falls, Idaho, until her health failed in 2006. She stayed at home raising family and coping with various diseases before her final bout with cancer in 2009.
She enjoyed visiting with family and friends, sharing her laughter and big heart, reading the Bible and attending church, and especially her grandchildren. She was a member of the Jehovah’s Witnesses for 32 years.
She was preceded in death by her father, Albert Kuntz, in 2008; grandparents, Clemens and Barbara Kuntz, and Jordan and Minnie Lambeff; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
She is survived by son, Casey Eldridge of Coeur d’Alene; daughter, Misty Thelin and husband Stuart of Coeur d’Alene; grandchildren, Isiah, Kyler and Carissa Thelin – all of Coeur d’Alene; mother, Betty Kuntz of Libby; brother, Mark Kuntz and wife Cathy of Maricopa, Ariz.; sisters, Barbara Huckins and husband Chris of Athol, Idaho; Mary Pedersen of Corvallis, Ore.; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and other relatives.
A special informal memorial was held for family and close friends on Jan. 8 at the Revolution Church in Hayden, Idaho with her brother, Mark Kuntz, officiating. Another memorial service in honor of her life followed on Jan. 16 at the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Kingdom Hall in Rathdrum.
Billie Joe Turner
Billie Joe Turner, 80, a longtime Libby resident, died Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2010 at St. John’s Lutheran Hospital from natural causes.
He was born Dec. 18, 1929 in Amarillo, Texas. He worked at J. Neil’s Lumber Co., St. Regis, Champion International and Stimson for 47 years.
Family said they would remember him as a loving husband, father and grandfather.
A daughter, Terry Ann, preceded him in death.
Survivors include his wife, Hazel Turner of Libby; children, Irma Gibbs and husband George of Spirit Lake, Idaho; and Michael Turner and wife Wanda of Kent, Wash.; three sisters, Lydia Neu and husband Don of Valley, Wash.; Ethel Hoffine and husband Steve of Laramie, Wyo.; and Sue McNutt and husband Jack of Sandpoint, Idaho; a brother, Ray Kemp of Clark Fork, Idaho; grandchildren, Virginia, Jon, David, Craig, Matt, Serina and Billie Jo; and two great-grandchildren.
Services are scheduled for Monday Jan. 25 at Christ Lutheran Church in Libby at 1 p.m. Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Home in Libby handled arrangements.
Larry 'Lar' Lavon Hill
Larry “Lar” Lavon Hill, 57, died Jan. 16, 2010, at his home in Missoula following complications from asbestosis.
He was born Dec. 1, 1952, in Libby, the youngest son of Eugene and Patricia Hill. He began a career as a butcher during his junior year of high school with an apprenticeship under Merritt Dutton. He cut meat for 34 years until 2006 when asbestosis forced his retirement from Diamond Bar Meats.
He married
Jeanette “Jenie” Buhl on Aug. 9, 1981, at the family cabin on Middle Thompson Lake.
Mr. Hill enjoyed golf, fishing and his cats, Lulu and Cub.
He is survived by his wife; son, Coby Spencer and wife Deann and twin granddaughters, Addison and Sophia – all of Missoula; daughter, Kara Hirzel and husband Gary, grandson Caleb and granddaughter Shelby, of Lompoc Calif.; parents, Eugene and Patricia Hill; and father and mother-in-law, Bill and Jean Buhl – all of Libby; brothers, Edward Hill and wife Angie of Kalispell; Robert and wife Debbie Hill of Libby; sisters-in-law Linda and husband Dennis Day; and Billie Jo Jones and husband Curt of Libby; and Diane Hill of Prince of Wales Island, Alaska; and brother-in-law, David Buhl of Libby.
Mr. Hill requested that memorials be sent to the Humane Society of Western Montana, Pet Connection in Troy, the Center for Asbestos Related Disease clinic in Libby or Hospice of Missoula.
A celebration of his life will be held Saturday, Jan. 30 from noon-2 p.m., at the family home in Missoula, 2222 42nd St.
The family plans to scatter ashes this coming summer at Middle Thompson Lake.
Earl Laurence Schulke
Earl Laurence Schulke, 89, died Jan. 13, 2010 at St. John's Lutheran Hospital in Libby.
He was born March 17, 1920 at Elk River, Minn., the son of John Paul and Minnie (Ott) Schulke. He was raised at Elk River and started farming there with his dad.
In Elk River, Mr. Schulke served on the town board as well as the St. John's Lutheran Church. He came to Libby in 1974, purchased a house and remodeled it.
He married
Bonnie Shuck on May 15, 1998 at Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.
He was preceded in death by his parents and wives, Avis and Evelyn.
Survivors include his wife, Bonnie Schulke of Libby; daughters, Nancy Schulke; and Susan Eklenfelt and husband Jerry; son, Jerry Schulke; sisters, Lucille Schulke and Lillian Olson; brother-in-law, H. Ben Patzer and wife Leone of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho; sister-in-law, Lila Jaeger of Washington; two grandchildren, John Schulke and wife Mary; and Jacob Schulke; three great-grandchildren; and eight stepchildren.
Services are scheduled to take place this coming summer. Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Home in Libby handled arrangements.
Richard F. Weare
Richard Francis Weare, 89, died Jan. 11, 2010 at his home in Wasilla, Alaska, surrounded by family.
He was born Feb. 3, 1920 to Clifford R. Weare and Ethel Baxter at home near Noxon. He attended school in a one-room schoolhouse on Bull River near the location of the present-day Bull Lake Rod and Gun Club and later in Noxon.
He married
Othelia Magdalena Schanzenbach on June 26, 1944 and together they had three chidlren – Richard Roy “Mickey,” Karen Elaine and Cheryl Ann. He also had two sons from a previous marriage – Michael Richard and Lannie Leroy.
Mr. Weare worked as a logger, school bus driver, bus mechanic and owned two body shops in Alaska, where he and his family moved in 1967 after selling his ranch on Bull River.
In 1994, the couple purchased a homestead in Central, Alaska, and lived like pioneers. They also traveled for many years in their motor home and went on fishing and camping trips with children and grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by one great-granddaughter, Breanna Clark; and two great-grandsons, Joshua Moffitt and Cliford Felts.
Mr. Weare is survived by his wife, Othelia (Toots); children, Mickey and wife Judy of Noxon; Karen and Cheryl of Wasilla, Alaska; Mike and wife Tawyna of Spokane, Wash.; and Lannie and wife Jeannie of Bigfork; 21 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.
The family requests memorials be made to Cystic Fibrosis (www.65rosescff.org), the American Diabetes Association (www.diabetes.org) or the American Lung Association (www.lungusa.org).
Graveside services are planned for Thursday, Jan. 28 at 2:30 p.m., at the Noxon cemetery. A potluck luncheon will follow services at the Noxon Fire Hall located across the street from the local school.
Condolences may be sent to Othelia Weare at 3060 Lazy Eight Court, PMB 493, Wasilla, AK 99654.
Robert W. 'Billy Bob' Boothman
Billy Bob Boothman, 81, died on Saturday, Jan. 16, 2010 at his home in Libby.
He was born Dec. 8, 1928, at Missoula, the son of William H. and Mable (Frazer) Boothman.
A longtime resident of Libby, he married
Minnie Edwards on Feb. 4, 1956. He worked as a horse logger for many years. He worked on the Libby Dam, and worked and packed on the Cabinet Divide Trail.
He enjoyed hunting, fishing, riding in the cabinets and chasing wild horses. He loved his kids, grandkids and great grandkids.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Bill Boothman and Mable Johnson, and Walt Johnson; a sister, Annie Williams; two great-grandsons, Isaiah and Donte; and a special mother-in-law, Verna Edwards.
Survivors include his wife, Minnie Boothman of Libby; sons, William “Timber” Boothman and wife Marty; Timothy Boothman; and Terry Boothman and wife Cindy – all of Libby; daughters, LaVerna Thorgaard and husband Tom of Elmo; Linda Cureau and husband Paul of Round Up; and Laurie Boothman and husband Bill of Post Falls, Idaho; sisters, Mildred Johnson and Marilyn Edwards – both of Libby; Zella Serniotti of Milwaukie, Ore.; sister-in-law, Joyce Goss and husband Delmar of Libby; grandchildren, Melinda, Tony, Eric, Brena, Samantha, Billy, Christy, Joslin Ann, John, Kristen, Dawn, Brent, Lindi, Nancy, Becky, Bill, Amber, Rodney, RJ, Becky, Jackie, Mark, Laura, Brock, James, Danny, Cody, Shelly, Dusty, Michael, Ashley, Nathan, Jacoba, Christy Ann, Ashley Lane; 33 great-grandchildren, including Mikie and Nevaeh; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be Friday, Jan. 22 from 1-8 p.m., at the Schnackenberg and Nelson Funeral Home in Libby. Services will be Saturday, Jan. 23 at 2 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Libby.
Joyce E. DeShazer
Joyce E. DeShazer, 67, of Libby died Sunday, Oct. 4, 2009 at her home in Libby from natural causes.
She was born May 6, 1942 in Big Timber to Otto and Grace Elgen Lovseth. She grew up in Reed Point and attended school in Big Timber. She graduated from Big Timber High School with the class of 1960.
She married
her high school sweetheart, Mike McKay, in Big Timber in 1961. They moved to Libby in 1963. She worked at the Venture Motor Inn as a waitress for over 20 years. She enjoyed leather crafts and taking care of her cats.
Survivors include her children, Lori Sickler and husband Bruce of Libby; Craig McKay of New Castle, Colo.; and six grandchildren.
Services will be Thursday, Oct. 29 at 1 p.m. at the Venture Motor Inn Fjord Room.
Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Home in Libby handled arrangements.
Kathleen 'Kay' Virginia Wilkinson
Kathleen “Kay” Virginia Wilkinson, 89, died Aug. 12, 2009 in Libby.
The daughter of E.O. and Mary Evelyn (Heath) Johnson, she was born Jan. 14, 1920. She graduated from Bremerton High School (Wash.) in 1938, and married
Gene R. Wilkinson of Bremerton on Aug. 24, 1943.
She was a homemaker, as well as owner and operator of Holly Beach Resort Partners for 20 years. She was a member of the Harrison Hospital Auxiliary and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks in Libby. Additionally, she was a class member of the initial first grade class at Our Lady Star of the Sea School when it opened in Bremerton, Wash. She was also a lifetime member of Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish.
Mrs. Wilkinson enjoyed dancing, fishing, camping, traveling and spending time with family and friends in Montana.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and brothers, Stan E. Johnson and Robert S. Johnson.
She is survived by her husband of nearly 66 years, Gene; daughters, Kathi Smith (Roger) of Seabeck; Toni Wilkinson of Troy; and Teresa Wilkinson of Bremerton; six grandchildren, Melissa Wietz, Bryan Smith, Cam Murdock, Wolfgang Mundt, Jen Mundt and Erin Reynolds; 10 great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
A funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 25 at Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish, 1513 Sixth Ave. in Bremerton, Wash., followed by a graveside service at Forest Lawn cemetery and a reception at Lewis Funeral Chapel, 5103 Kitsap Way in Bremerton.
Memorial donations may be made to the Harrison Medical Center Foundation, 2520 Cherry Ave, Bremerton, WA 98310.
Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Home in Libby handled arrangements.
Stephen 'Steve' W. Stewart
Stephen “Steve” W. Stewart, 59, died Aug. 13, 2009 at Libby.
He was born in Olympia, Wash. on June 22, 1950, the son of Thomas W. and Joyce (Hinton) Stewart. He grew up in Olympia and the Northwest. He attended schools in Olympia.
He was drafted into the military in 1969 and served in the U.S. Army. He worked for various phone companies throughout the Northwest.
Survivors include his parents, Thomas and Joyce Stewart of Grants Pass, Ore.; two children, Jared Stewart and Jessica Gilmore, both of Arizona; and a brother, Scott of Glendale, Ore.
Private services are being held in Oregon.
Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Home in Libby handled arrangements.
Kathleen 'Kay' Virginia Wilkinson
Kathleen “Kay” Virginia Wilkinson, 89, died Aug. 12, 2009 in Libby.
The daughter of E.O. and Mary Evelyn (Heath) Johnson, she was born Jan. 14, 1920. She graduated from Bremerton High School (Wash.) in 1938, and married
Gene R. Wilkinson of Bremerton on Aug. 24, 1943.
She was a homemaker, as well as owner and operator of Holly Beach Resort Partners for 20 years. She was a member of the Harrison Hospital Auxiliary and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks in Libby. Additionally, she was a class member of the initial first grade class at Our Lady Star of the Sea School when it opened in Bremerton, Wash. She was also a lifetime member of Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish.
Mrs. Wilkinson enjoyed dancing, fishing, camping, traveling and spending time with family and friends in Montana.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and brothers, Stan E. Johnson and Robert S. Johnson.
She is survived by her husband of nearly 66 years, Gene; daughters, Kathi Smith (Roger) of Seabeck; Toni Wilkinson of Troy; and Teresa Wilkinson of Bremerton; six grandchildren, Melissa Wietz, Bryan Smith, Cam Murdock, Wolfgang Mundt, Jen Mundt and Erin Reynolds; 10 great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
A funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 25 at Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish, 1513 Sixth Ave. in Bremerton, Wash., followed by a graveside service at Forest Lawn cemetery and a reception at Lewis Funeral Chapel, 5103 Kitsap Way in Bremerton.
Memorial donations may be made to the Harrison Medical Center Foundation, 2520 Cherry Ave, Bremerton, WA 98310.
Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Home in Libby handled arrangements.
Stephen 'Steve' W. Stewart
Stephen “Steve” W. Stewart, 59, died Aug. 13, 2009 at Libby.
He was born in Olympia, Wash. on June 22, 1950, the son of Thomas W. and Joyce (Hinton) Stewart. He grew up in Olympia and the Northwest. He attended schools in Olympia.
He was drafted into the military in 1969 and served in the U.S. Army. He worked for various phone companies throughout the Northwest.
Survivors include his parents, Thomas and Joyce Stewart of Grants Pass, Ore.; two children, Jared Stewart and Jessica Gilmore, both of Arizona; and a brother, Scott of Glendale, Ore.
Private services are being held in Oregon.
Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Home in Libby handled arrangements.
