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Vernon Freebury
Vernon C. Freebury, 79, of Libby, died on Jan. 18, 2005, at St. John’s Lutheran Hospital.
He was born on March 13, 1925, at Conrad, to Arthur and Laura Halverson Freebury.
He grew up and attended school at Conrad, graduating from Conrad High School in 1943.
He entered the U.S. Navy in 1944 and was honorably discharged in 1947.
Vernon returned to Conrad where he and his brothers opened a general store.
He married
Julia Conn at Kalispell on Nov. 15, 1952 and they lived at Conrad until moving to Libby in 1954.
Vernon worked at Manion’s Motors and later as parts man at Jaqueths.
A good husband and father, Vernon enjoyed working in the yard and gardening.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Julia, one son and two brothers.
Survivors include son Dan Freebury, Libby; grandchildren Dan Freebury Jr. and his wife Rocio, St. Helens, Ore., Jennifer Wickersham and husband Tommy, Reno, Nev., Heather Freebury, Christopher Freebury and Samantha Freebury, all of Libby and one great-grandson, Mathis Freebury, St. Helens.
Private family services will be conducted.
Local arrangements are by the Nelson & Vial Funeral Home.
Jeanine Hatlen
Jeanine Elizabeth Hatlen, 69, died on Jan. 22, 2005, at her Green Spring apartment in Libby, one day after returning from Kalispell where surgery successfully replaced her left elbow.
Jeanine was born on Dec. 10, 1935, at Kalispell, the first child of K. Harold and Hilda Lee Hatlen.
Jeanine attended school at Somers and later at Libby, after moving here with her family in 1949. Jeanine was an early participant in Libby programs for developmentally disabled students.
She worked at various jobs at Achievements Inc. until her retirement.
In 1996 Jeanine was named Employee of the Year for her work in the Baby and Toddler department of Achievements’ Thrift Store.
Jeanine loved to design and crochet doll clothes and in 1982 she placed first in the crochet Dress a Doll contest sponsored by Libby’s United Bank.
A gifted artist, her painting of a church won a merit award at the Governor’s Art Conference in 1994. In 1997 Jeanine’s oil painting “A Rural Scene” was entered in a statewide competition for Montanans with Disabilities and was included in their 1997 calendar.
Jeanine was a faithful member of Christ Lutheran Church, rarely missing a service until mobility issues made attendance difficult.
As a young girl she was a 10-year member of 4-H and enjoyed working on home and self-improvement projects.
Jeanine is survived by her mother Hilda E. Hatlen, Libby; a brother and sister-in-law, Roe and Beverly Hatlen, Apple Valley, Minn.; brother and sister-in-law Richard and Karen Hatlen, Menlo Park, Calif.; nieces Monica Roys-Myers and Kari Hatlen; nephews Erik, Hans, Lars and Leif Hatlen; an uncle Robert Hatlen, Kalispell, three aunts in Minnesota, Normal Hilgert, Bird Island, Ida Vien, Clarkfield, and Betty Jacobs, Minneapolis, and numerous cousins.
Jeanine was preceded in death by her father in 1992 and her sister Betty in 2000.
Jeanine will be remembered by her family as a special person who made the most of her gifts. She unselfishly used her talents to give joy to others in the form of handiwork that ranged from practical potholders to elaborate doll clothes.
Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 27, at Christ Lutheran Church with Pastor Les Nelson officiating.
Memorials may be made to Achievements Inc, 101 Mineral Ave, Libby.
Local arrangements are by the Nelson & Vial Funeral Home.
Judi Watkins
A memorial service was held on Jan. 3, 2005, for former Libby resident Judith Fay Carter Watkins, 57, who died on Dec. 28, 2004, at Peoria, Ariz.
Judi was born on Oct. 21, 1947, at Bemidji, Minn., to Earl (Shorty) Carter and Dorothy Corrick Carter.
Her early years were spent in Montana.
After graduating from Libby High School with the Class of 1965, Judi completed a two-year nursing program in California.
She married
Fred Dunkin and they had son Timothy.
Fred died in 1978 and Judi later married
William Watkins. They have lived for the past 30 years in Wickenburg, Ariz.
Judi’s life was filled with many interests. She loved the outdoors and enjoyed swimming, hunting, fishing, traveling and gardening.
At home she wrote poetry and surrounded herself with books.
Judi had a high regard for family and friends and often surprised them with little gifts and hand-made greeting cards, leaving her love with many people with whom she shared her great sense of humor
Although Judi endured multiple illnesses in the past four years, she often said she was very lucky. She appreciated the love of her husband who took excellent care of her and stood by her until the end of her life.
Judi is survived by her mother, Dorothy Steiner, Libby; her father Earl Carter and step-mother Mel, Hinsdale; husband William, Wickenburg; son Tim, Cummings, Ga., and brother Ron Carter, Libby.
She is also survived by numerous other relatives.
All those who knew Judi are thankful for the gift of her life.
Verda Wilson
Longtime Libby resident Verda B. Wilson, 94, died on Jan. 17, 2005, at Libby.
She was born on Dec. 7, 1910, in Memphis, Neb.
When she was a young girl the family moved to Wyoming, where Verda graduated from high school in 1928.
She married
Jack Corbin and they had daughter Peggy Marie.
After the loss of Jack, Verda married
Wayne Wilson and had daughter Arrah Lee.
Verda and Wayne moved to Libby in 1947 and managed a ranch in the Fisher River area before moving into town.
Verda spent her life devoting her time to her family, neighbors and community. She collected donations for the Heart Association, worked on the election board in Libby for 30 years and belonged to the Libby Woman’s Club and the Farm Woman’s Club.
In 1949 Verda was initiated into the Medora Rebekah Lodge No. 53 and in 1965 the state honored her with the Chilivary of Degree Pin. She worked at St. John’s Lutheran Hospital as a nurse’s aide until her retirement.
As a senior citizen Verda served as president, vice-president and site manager for the Libby Senior Citizens Center.
In August 1990 Verda was named Senior Citizen of the Year.
An active member of the Libby Christian Church, Verda’s faith knew no bounds and came straight from her heart. She lived a Christian life and set an example for others through her kind words and humility.
Verda was preceded in death by her father, mother, husband, a sister and two brothers.
Survivors include her daughters, Peggy Moe and husband Lloyd, Libby; Arrah Lee Wilson and husband Merritte in Washington; sister Evelyn Johnston in Wyoming; six grandchildren, Jon Moe and wife Donna, Deborah Decker and husband Mark, all of Libby; Kelly Moe, Kalispell, Merritte Wilson II, in Hawaii; Lloyd W. Moe and wife Becky. in Idaho; Melissa Sadler and husband Lance in Washington, 13 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be on Thursday, Jan. 20, from 1-8 p.m. and on Friday, Jan. 21, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Nelson & Vial Funeral Home Chapel.
A memorial service will be conducted the following week on Saturday, Jan. 29, at 2 p.m. at the Libby Christian Church. Memorials may be made to Libby Senior Citizens, Box 1401, Libby.
Arrangements are under direction of the Nelson & Vial Funeral Home.
Lynn Bryant-Beaudry
Lynn Bryant-Beaudry, 53, of Libby, died on Jan. 13, 2005, at the Kalispell Regional Medical Center.
She was born on Nov. 4, 1951, at Glasgow, to Norman Beaudry and Lillian Whitehorse Beaudry.
Raised and educated at Williston, N.D., Lynn later lived in the Seattle area before coming to Libby in the 1970s.
She worked as a waitress at the Caboose Restaurant and Lounge and with the school lunch program for the Libby Public Schools.
Survivors include her daughter Ashley Day and her husband Michael, Libby; son Carson Bryant, serving with the U.S. Navy; her parents Norman and Lillian Beaudry of Libby; sisters Cheryl LaRoque, Kalispell, and Marlene Hill, Seattle; brothers Gary Beaudry, Missoula, Larry LaRoque, Williston, Bruce Beaudry, Inverness, Dan Beaudry, Dracutt, Mass., and Bob Beaudry, Spokane, and grandchild Aren James.
Services were conducted at 1 p.m. on Sunday at the Nelson & Vial Funeral Home Chapel.
Private interment took place at the City of Libby cemetery.
Arrangements were under care of the Nelson & Vial Funeral Home.
James Hogan
James P. Hogan, 83, died on Jan. 15, 2005, at his home in Libby.
He was born on Feb. 18, 1921, in Spokane, to John and Rose Meneghan Hogan.
Jim entered the U.S. Navy in 1942 and served as an aviation machinist.
After the war he took flying lessons and earned his pilot’s license.
He married
Margaret Adam on June 1, 1946, and they moved to Libby in 1951.
Jim was employed by the U.S. Forest Service from 1958-1986.
He was preceded in death by his parents, daughter Mary Ann Hogan, twin brother William, brother John and sisters Mary Theresa and Loretta.
Survivors include his wife Margaret, Libby; sons Jim Hogan and his wife Susie, Helena; Bill Hogan and his wife Nancy, Elk Grove, Ill.; Mike Hogan and his wife Valerie, Eureka; Pat Hogan and his wife Joyce, New Prague, Minn.; John Hogan and his wife Sarah, Libby; David Hogan and his wife Amy, Covina, Calif.; Steve Hogan and his wife Stacy, Libby, and Mark Hogan, Libby; daughters Margaret Retherford and her husband Jack, Chewelah, Wash.; Ann Hogan, Avon; Catherine Hogan, Eureka; Rosemary Jensen and her husband Joe, Libby; Kathleen Swimley and her husband Robert, Spring Creek, Nev.; Therese Hogan and her husband Bob Miller, Gig Harbor, Wash.; and Carolyn Vogel and her husband Corey, Clark Fork, Idaho; sister Margaret Kaiser, Spokane, 25 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and four foster great-grandchildren.
Services will be conducted at 10 a.m. on Thursday at St. Joseph Catholic Church.
Visitation will be from 1-7 p.m. on Wednesday, followed by Rosary at 7 p.m.
Local arrangements are by the Nelson & Vial Funeral Home.
Tressa Kovar
Tressa Leone Davis Kovar, 91, of Troy, died on Jan. 14, 2005, at Libby.
Tressa was born on Oct. 22, 1913, at Havre, to George and Caroline Davis. She was one of nine children.
The family moved several times via covered wagon before settling in Troy.
Tressa’s father homesteaded on Copper Mountain in Iron Creek Valley. Tressa attended Troy schools.
She married
John Kovar in 1931 and that fall they moved to the farm in Iron Creek Valley that would be her home for the rest of her life. She never wanted to live anyplace else.
Tressa and John raised 10 children on the farm.
Tressa loved her flower gardens, vegetable garden, fishing, reading, reciting poetry, enjoying the old songs, huckleberry picking, wildlife, her family and family gatherings.
She is survived by seven children, Robin Kovar, Caroline Guthrie, John T. Kovar and his wife Dani, and George Kovar, all of Spokane; Stacia Fifield and her husband Glen, Troy; Luella Krebs, Libby; and Linda Lockman and her husband Gordon, Clark Fork, Idaho, 21 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters and brothers, her husband John, son Martin, daughters Christine Eatinger and Susan Bennett, and three grandchildren, Robin Bennett, Harvey Krebs and Michael T. Lockman.
Services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 22, at the Troy Church of God.
Tressa will be buried in the Troy cemetery beside her husband and daughters.
Local arrangements are by the Nelson & Vial Funeral Home.
Donald Vanderpool
Graveside services for former Libby resident Donald Vanderpool, 81, were conducted at 2 p.m. on Jan. 12, at Coeur d’Alene Memorial Gardens in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho..
Vanderpool died Jan. 8, 2005.
Born in Troy, Idaho, Vanderpool served with the U.S. Army during World War II and lived in Libby until settling in the Silver Valley in 1945.
He worked for many years as a welder at the Bunker Hill Zinc Plant.
Vanderpool was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and a member of the Military Order of the Cooties and the Bunker Hill 20-Year Club.
He enjoyed hunting, traveling and fishing.
Survivors include sisters Dorothy Crawford of Kingston, Idaho, and Verelene Burns of Chewelah, Wash., and brother Orville Vanderpool of Oak Harbor, Wash.
Shoshone Funeral Service in Kellogg, Idaho, was in charge of arrangements.
