FAMILY NEWS

Patricia Ann
Stewart
Libby, 84

Patricia Ann Stewart, known to most as Nana Pat, passed away September 2, 2021 in Whitefish, Mont.
She was born September 21, 1936 in Cowen, W. Va. to Bonnis and Boyd Adkison.
At the age of 16 she married Shirley White and together they had five children.

In 1969 they moved to Libby for job opportunities and be near her family. She
loved embroidery, quilting, painting, gardening and most of all camping.

Cooking for her family
and friends was one of her greatest pleasures. Nobody left her house hungry, and many people will remember her cooking skills at The Branding Iron, MK Steak House and The Caboose.

She was preceded in death by her parents and
her brother Gary Adkison.

Pat is survived by her husband Richard Stewart, her children Vic (Dixie), }Judy Cutts, Barb Pfaff (Jr. Crismore), Paul (Paulena) and Boyd (Shala); stepchildren; Kim Smethers, Kevin Brown, Michael and David Stewart; brothers Gene
Adkison (Kathy), Don (Sharon) Bobby (Shirley);
12 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren.

Graveside services were held on Saturday, September 18, 2021 at the City of Libby Cemetery. Arrangements are by Schnackenberg Funeral Home in Libby.

Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.schnackenbergfh.com.

 

James Ronald Short
Libby, 81

James Ronald Short “Jim”, 81,  passed away peacefully at his home in Libby, Mont. on September 15, 2021 surrounded by his loving family.  Jim was a
beloved Husband, Father, Papa, and Great Papa to his wife Anita, three children, nine grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and
one great-great-grandchild.

Jim was born on
November 4, 1939 in  Landusky, Mont. to John
Joseph and Lilly Marie (Kelsey) Short.  He grew up in Zortman and Landusky where his parents worked
on the Henson Ranch of
Zortman. His family moved to Malta when he and his brother Jack were both old enough to start High School.

When Jim was 16 years old (even though he said he was three months older than his older brother), he joined the National Guard. After graduating, he enlisted in the Navy on September 18, 1957 He served until his discharge on November 3, 1960 on the U.S.S. Henley.

On Thanksgiving Day
of 1960, he met the love
of his life, Anita Marie
Pohlman. It was love at first sight for both of them. They were married in Malta on June 17, 1961. They were soul mates for 60 years. Together they raised children Teresa, Kevin, and Darren in a love- filled household.

Jim spent many years serving his community as
an EMT with the Libby
Volunteer Ambulance and David Thompson Search
and Rescue.

He spent many hours when his children were younger coaching their
baseball teams, coaching
and refereeing boxing, and supporting youth in the
community in any way he could. He and Anita were often seen on the sidelines
of any sporting event cheering on the kids.

He also enjoyed many hours hunting and fishing with his family. He made everyone feel like they were very important and worthy of his time.

Jim is survived by his wife Anita of Libby; his
children Teresa (Jim Verhoef) Robinson of Malta, Kevin (Lisa) Short of West Haven, Utah and Darren (Debbie) Short of Libby; grand-children Kimberly (Steve) Oswalt, Andrew (Jeni) Short, Steven (Alonna)
Short, Jessica Short, Christian (Faith) Robinson, Katie Short, Kacie Short, Niki Swennes Wilkins, and Cassie Grinder; great-grandchildren Kaylee, Blace, Brynley,
Tristan, Corbin, Jackson, Caroline, J.J., and Sariah; great-great-grand- daughter Lauryn; sister Carol Winchell of Great Falls; a very beloved Aunt Thelma Seyfert;
many nieces, nephews, and countless special friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents John and Lilly, and his brother Jack.

A Celebration of Life for Jim will be held at VFW Post #1548 in Libby on Saturday, November 6, with burial taking place in Malta at a later date.

Arrangements are by Schnackenberg Funeral Home in Libby.

Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.schnackenbergfh.com.

 

Monte Neil
LeHew
Libby, 80

It is with great sadness we announce the death of Monte Neil LeHew, who passed away on September 14, 2021 at the age of 80. Monte was born March 21, 1941 in Ladysmith, Wisc.
to Oliver Earl and Ora Mae (Jordan) LeHew. The LeHew family extended to seven children, Monte being the second to the oldest.

He moved to Libby in 1956, took up residence and made it his forever home. Monte is preceded in death by his wife Patsy LeHew. They were married for 50+ years before she passed away December 23, 2017.

Monte’s favorite pastimes were fishing, hunting and studying American
History. He loved and treasured his family. He enjoyed spending time with them and being the best Grandpa to his grandchildren who adored him. He will be greatly missed and never forgotten.

Monte had a great
appreciation for country music and was especially fond of old-time gospel
music. He loved the ones with special words about heaven. Monte would
occasionally pick up a guitar and had a very unique picking style.

He could start a conversation with a total stranger and soon have them feeling as though they had known him for a long time. Monte felt most at home within the wilderness, enjoying God’s creation.

He was a great listener and would always let people finish their sentences without interrupting them. He would leave you with the feeling he was listening
carefully when you spoke.
If you were ever going to share a cup of coffee and a conversation with someone, there isn’t anyone that would have been more ideal then Monte. He was always a country boy at heart. Those who actually knew him loved him.

Monte is survived by
his seven children, son
Danny LeHew, daughter in-law Katrina and son Monte LeHew, Jr.; daughters Kirbi Cambell, Geri lee Gartner, Kelli LeHew, Lynette Hanes and Rose Sandage; an
extended number of grandchildren, great grandchildren, with a great-great grandchild on the way; his six siblings; brothers Earl,
James and George LeHew; sisters Mary Archer, Colleen Workman, and Barbara
Fraley.

Visitation will be held
on September 26, from
1:00 -5:00 p.m. at the Schnackenberg Funeral Home in Libby. Services
will be held at 1:00 p.m.
on September 27 at the
Funeral Home.

Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.schnackenbergfh.com.

 

Jenny R. Nelson

Libby, 97

After living in Libby for
97 years, Jenny R. Nelson moved to an even better place on Friday, August 13, 2021. The fifth of seven
children born to Norwegian immigrants, Ole and Ane (Uthus) Rolseth, Jenny was
a belated Christmas present coming into the world on December 26, 1923.

A child during the Great Depression, Jenny’s family weathered the tough time through hard work, thriftiness, and soup bones. Her mother fed a family of nine on little money and taught Jenny how to make food stretch, a lesson that she never forgot. She was kidded by her family that only Jesus could surpass her “miracles” of feeding four growing kids on one can of tuna fish or a family of six on one chicken.  After wearing her sisters’ hand-me-downs for years and getting one pair of shoes at the beginning of each school year, Jenny liked nice clothes, but shoes.…well, shoes were a passion and one of her few indulgences.

Her father owned the South Libby Meat Market.
As a child, Jenny delivered meat to his Libby customers on her bicycle and was paid in dill pickles from the pickle barrel in Ole’s store.

She was a good student who attended Libby schools, and a proud Libby Terrier twirler. She graduated in 1941, in absentia after
suffering a head laceration and broken pelvis, the result of a car wreck on Senior Sneak Day. Even in a decade-long depression, Ole and Ane were determined that all their children would receive some higher education, so Jenny headed to Pacific
Lutheran University in
Tacoma, Wash. in the fall of 1941. But the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7 and the subsequent entry of the U.S. into World War II sent Jenny back to Libby, though not without having formed
a friendship with classmate, Polly Lee, that would last a lifetime.

Back home, Jenny started work at the First State Bank as a teller. Being friendly and detail-minded, she was soon a favorite with both customers and the management.

In the summer of 1943,
a friend invited Jenny to
attend a dance at the Swamp Creek Community Hall where guys working at the Forest Service Raven Work Center would go for fun. There she met a very handsome, very tall young man from Helena with twinkling blue eyes and a big, dimpled smile named Frank Nelson, known to friends as “Shorty”.

Jenny and Frank dated over the summer until Frank returned to the University of Montana and soon enlisted in the U.S. Army. Frank and Jenny wouldn’t see each other again until 1946. But Shorty didn’t forget the serious, petite girl with the long auburn hair. When he returned to Libby to work for
J. Neils Lumber Company after the war and finishing college, he soon found the pretty redhead working at the bank.

Jenny and Frank were married at St. John Lutheran Church on October 10, 1948 – the opening day of duck season, which was the only flaw in their wedding plans as Shorty was an avid duck hunter, resulting in many delayed anniversary celebrations over the next 56 years.

Shorty and Jenny soon welcomed their son, Joel and daughters, Bryn, MaryBeth and Jennifer to their family. In 1960, Frank and Jenny moved into the house that would be their home for
the rest of their lives. Their home became the hub for a multitude of celebrations and gatherings of family
and friends over the years with Jenny effortlessly
cooking meals for all, usually with a homemade pie.

The family dinner table was alive nightly with conversations about what her family was doing and what was happening in and outside of Libby.  Never one for gossip, Jenny enjoyed good conversations about current events and encouraged her children to be aware of the world outside of Libby.

After taking a “break”
to have a family, Jenny went back to work in 1963 at what was then First National Bank with the goal to build a cabin on a newly acquired lake lot. The cabin became yet another place to entertain family and friends. With the help
of her sister, Borgie, they furnished it with rummage sale finds, painted them
vividly in turquoise, orange,
and lime green, and decorated with eclectic memorabilia. The cabin was Jenny’s special place and she loved spending time there, alone
or with a crowd.

Jenny and Frank valued education and encouraged their children to learn and explore, and Jenny continued to work and save money so her children could attend college. That goal accomplished, she retired from First National Bank in 1977.

Retirement brought new adventures for Jenny, including traveling to Norway and England, Mexico, Hawaii, Arizona, Alaska, and several other states to visit friends with Shorty and visit their wandering family.

Jenny gardened more and took classes in healthy cooking. She took up quilting and cross-country skiing and continued to walk and ride her bike. She was proud of her Norwegian heritage and was active in Nordic Fest for many years. She served on the Libby City Council,
chairing the beautification committee.  She watched
the stock market and took
classes in investment even challenging Shorty to an investment competition (which she won). Retire-ment also meant more time to spend with her beloved grandchildren, her dear friends, and her Shorty.

Jenny was a longtime member of St. John Lutheran Church and served on alter guild for nearly 40 years.  Her faith was strong and sustained her through many hardships. She lived her life espousing the values of compassion, kindness, and tolerance, and her gentle wisdom was a gift to her friends and family. She was a strong
advocate for the Libby
community, and an amazing local historian that took great pride in her town. She truly was a solid cornerstone and was sometimes referred to as the “grand dame of Libby”. She was loved by so many, and she will be greatly missed.

Jenny was preceded in death by her husband Frank; daughter Bryn; grand-daughter Amy Marie; three sisters, Hilda McCallum, Gladys Haynes, and Borghild (Borgie) McDonald; and
two brothers, Odin and
Albert Rolseth.

Jenny is survived by
her sister Thelma Darsow
of Tacoma, Wash.; her son Joel (Linda) of Kalispell; daughters MaryBeth (Steve) of Sitka, Alaska and Jennifer of Libby; grandchildren Erik and Mali Nelson, Kari
Paustian, Ted and Andrew Miller, Seth and Lucas
Cummings, Sydney Herrmann; many great-grandchildren, nieces,
and nephews; and special friends Polly Lee, Scott
Slauson, Vicky Lawrence, and Greg Stickney.

A celebration of Jenny’s life will be held at St. John Lutheran Church, Saturday October 2, at 1:00 p.m. in Libby, Mont. with reception to follow.

Charitable donations may be made in Jenny’s name to Cabinet Peaks
Medical Center Foundation (209 Health Park Dr.),
Libby Memorial Events
Center (Kootenai Heritage Council, PO Box 360), and The Heritage Museum (P.O. Box 628), Libby, MT 59923.

Arrangements are by Schnackenberg Funeral Home in Libby.

Online condolences and memories may by visiting: www.schnackenbergfh.com.

 

Thomas
Charles Dillon
Libby, 80

Thomas Charles
Dillon, 80, passed away September 11, 2021 at
his home in the West
Kootenai. He was born May 13, 1941 in
Birmingham, Mich.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, September 22 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Libby, MT.

Arrangements are by Schnackenberg Funeral Home in Libby.

 

Daniel T.G. Broers
Libby, 65

Daniel T.G. Broers was born in Den Haag, Netherlands on August 7, 1956.
He went to be with Jesus
on September 7, 2021. His parents, Wouter Broers and Charlotte Broers immigrated to the United States in 1958. Dan was the oldest of five brothers. They lived for awhile in Pennsylvania and then the family moved to sunny California.

Dan enlisted in the
United States Marines after he graduated high school. He worked on the flight crew in Alameda, Calif. for most of his service time.

Dan was a natural born mechanic. While he worked for GE for almost 10 years in their warehouse, he was always working on motorcycles, cars and trucks. After being laid off at GE, Dan
attended a local community college school for mechanics. He was offered a job before finishing the class.

He worked a few different places after that first job, then ended up working  where they did warranty work on Transit Busses. Dan said that most of the crew he worked with couldn’t get the busses to move due to all the safety features, but he could. So he ended up working
primarily on Transit busses and said at the time he knew he was doing what he loved.

He applied to work for Santa Clara County Transit in San Jose, Calif. in 1989, (now known as VTA) and was hired in 1990. Dan worked there until his retirement in 2016. Dan really loved his work. The more complicated the problem, the better he liked the job. He would get
so happy when several other mechanics had worked on a problem with no luck and would then give the bus to him. Fixing those problems made his day. Dan was a helpful coworker and had many friends on the job. He was never too busy to put down the tools for the bus he was working on to help a coworker.

Not long after his
employment at VTA, Dan
met his soon to be wife.
Dan and Cathleen (Katt)
got married in 1995.

Dan and Katt have two sons, Daniel and Grant. Dan’s sons were his pride and joy. He was so happy to be a
father. He was always so proud of his sons.

Dan also loved motorcycles and riding. When Katt met Dan, their first date was a motorcycle ride. She hadn’t ridden in almost 20 years and Dan took her on one of the most twisty roads in the area. After the ride, he asked her how she liked it. She replied she would let him know once she found her stomach again.

He was surprised and a little shocked that she had not complained at all during the ride, nor told him she hadn’t been on a motorcycle for all that time. Motorcycles were such a part of his life; he thought that everyone felt the same.

Katt loved riding with Dan. They went on rides everywhere in California and he showed her so many beautiful areas. Sometimes they rode with friends, but more often by themselves. Since they worked for the same company, they often commuted on Dan’s
motorcycle.

Dan was not a prejud-
iced motorcycle owner. He owned a BMW, Honda Gold Wing, Suzuki, Aprilia scooter, Harley Davidson, and a CSC made in China. If it had wheels and it ran, it was a good motorcycle.

His favorite was his 1992 Electra Glide Sport, then his 1975 Suzuki 750. In 2007 Dan and Katt rode scooters from their home in California to visit her parents in Libby. He had bought her a Honda Helix that had been turned into a trike and he rode his Aprilia scooter. It was a
wonderful adventure for both of them.

Some years before he retired he also started
bicycling for his health.
He took to that with a
vengeance. He would often commute to work on his bicycle and ride on the
weekends, too. He loved to ride his bike in Montana – so much less traffic and much better scenery.

Dan was a fix-it man. He loved to tinker and repair most anything. When doing so, he was happy. Aside from loving to travel and searching out all the backroads, he could find and would repair everything. God had blessed him with a mechanical mind.  Many times Dan would express he was struggling with a problem, but he would wake in the morning and have the answer. And he always gave God the credit for those answers. He would say God gave him a helping hand.

Dan and Katt retired in 2016 and moved to Libby.
He was a little hesitant about moving at first, but Katt had always told him that when she retired she was going back home. Not long after they moved, he told her that Libby was home and he couldn’t imagine living anywhere else. Although Dan did not get to live in Libby long before his passing, he made many friends and he loved this little town.

Dan loved life and he loved Jesus. He told his
family that whatever
happened, he was ready
to be with Jesus. He had a wonderful booming laugh and a beautiful smile. He lived life to the fullest with unending energy.

His brother Jerome
wanted everyone to know he was an awesome big brother. He was loved deeply and will be greatly missed.

Dan is survived by his wife Katt; sons Daniel and Grant Broers; brothers
Charlie Broers, Jerome
Broers, Edward Broers
and Lodewijk Broers; sister in- laws Carol Thompson,
Crystal Nixon and Stephanie Broers; brother in-laws Worth Nixon and Roy Thompson; nephews
Jerome Broers, Ronald Broers, Theodor Broers, Edward Broers Jr. and Daniel Thompson; nieces Michaela Thompson, Klarissa Broers, Zoie Bunker and Kocopelli Broers; and many friends and relatives in Calif.

He will be greatly missed by his good friends Frank and Connie Palladini, Joe
and Kara, Bill and Barbara Black and all of his surrogate sons; Timmy, Alex, Saul
and Osvaldo.

Services will be held at
2:00 p.m. on Saturday,
September 25, at the Libby Christian Church.

Arrangements are by Schnackenberg Funeral Home in Libby.

Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.schnackenbergfh.com.