Wilma Joyce Cox, 90, of Libby
Wilma Joyce Cox, 90, died Thursday, Dec. 27, 2018 at Libby Care Center of natural causes. She was born Feb. 2, 1928 at Culdesac, Idaho to Price Lando and Adaline McCune-Keener. She lived in Joseph Plains until she was 13 years old, when the family moved to Cottonwood, Idaho when her father died. She graduated from Cottonwood High School in 1945.
Wilma married Clinton Robert “Scotty” Cox on Nov. 15, 1947. They lived on ranches around Grangeville, Idaho. They raised registered Hereford cattle until his death in 2000. She worked for Star Motor Freight as a bookkeeper for many years.
Wilma enjoyed embroider work, crocheting, ceramics, gardening and cooking delicious meals.
She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers; Elvin, Joe and David Keener, and her sister, Marie White.
Survivors include her daughter Cathy Ann Jenkins (Tom), of Libby; Douglas (Debbie), of Gardnerville, Nev.; six granddaughters, ten great grandchildren, and one great great granddaughter.
Graveside services will be held in Grangeville, Idaho. Arrangements are by Schnackenberg Funeral Home in Libby. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.schnackenbergfh.com.
Robert William (Bobby Bolles) Dedrick, 87, of Libby
Robert William (Bobby Bolles) Dedrick, 87, passed away Dec. 30, 2018 in Libby at the age of 87 of cancer related to asbestosis. He was born in the old hospital building still existing across from the Lee Gehring Memorial Field in Libby on July 7, 1931 to William Austin Dedrick and Edna Katherine Hall. His early years were spent with his mother and step father Kenneth (Tux) Bolles at numerous Lincoln County locations while they cooked for the J. Neil’s Lumber Company railroad logging operations in the mid to late 1930’s. He first attended school at the McCormick’s School near Leonia, then Warland, Libby and Troy.
In 1950, Bob married Carrie Mildred Williams. Carrie passed away in 2017 after 67 years of marriage. They had sons Dennis Dean and Darwin Darrell Dedrick.
Bob managed the Carter Service Station across from the Troy High School in the 1950’s. He also drove the Bull Lake school bus route. The owner of Karst Stage Bus Line in Bozeman, he drove a basketball team to play in the Troy Gym in the early 1960’s. As a result of their discussions, Bob applied to Montana State College and was accepted into their Physical Education department and worked driving school bus. He and his wife and two children packed up and started on a new adventure. Carrie worked as a dental assistant and Bob also worked in the summers on major road construction projects. Bob graduated in 1969.
They then moved back to Libby where he worked in construction. Bob, better known as “Trader Bob” began trading and selling guns at gun shows around the area. As the opportunity arose, Bob sponsored the Libby Gun Show. He enjoyed talking and interacting with people. He was the family historian and had an outstanding recollection of events and relationships. His lineage included United Empire Loyalists (Tories) during the American Revolution; this was the only time he was on the losing side.
Bob is survived by sons Dennis and Darwin (Sandy) Dedrick; brother Gerald (Jerry) and wife, Susan Bolles; grandchildren Jason Robert Dedrick, Kathrine Margaret Dedrick Nelson, Laci Rose Dedrick, Jeremy Ivan Dedrick, Nicole Naine Dedrick, and Jesse Cole Dedrick; great grandchildren Hunter and Colton Nelson, Rylee Evans, Dylan, Kyler, Katrina and Karter Dedrick.
There will not be a memorial. In lieu of flowers please send donations to your favorite charity. Arrangements are by Schnackenberg Funeral Home in Libby. Online memorials and condolences may be shared at www.schnackenbergfh.com.
Evelyn I. Davis, 105, of Libby
Evelyn I. Davis, 105, died on Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019 at Libby Care Center. She was born on Oct. 10, 1913 at Spokane, Wash. to Agner and Arlie (Franklin) Lindgren. She grew up and attended schools in Washington. All of 5’11”, she was also the star basketball player on her team in Mead, Wash. back in her school days.
In 1944, Evelyn’s husband, Harry Davis, bought a ranch outside of Libby in the Swamp Creek area along the Fisher River. A year after buying the land it was ready for the Davis family to make the move from Washington to Montana. Though it wasn’t long before Evelyn’s aversion to winter weather dictated a move to Phoenix, Ariz. that would result in a 37-year relocation for the Davis family. They would move back to Libby in 1988.
Evelyn was quite the fly-fisher. She was always fishing off the Hwy. 2 side of the Fisher River, not the ‘other’ side.
Born in the year 1913, and though unable to travel the distance at the time, Evelyn was celebrated as her name was read at the 50th Annual Governors Conference on Aging that was held in Helena on September 25, 2018. “On behalf of the Office on Aging, we would like to extend our congratulations to you as a Centenarian,” said the letter Evelyn received.
Survivors include her daughter Sherry Smith of Libby; her son Lee Davis of Tucson, Ariz.; six grandchildren and six great grandchildren.
Private burial has taken place. Arrangements are by Schnackenberg Funeral Home in Libby. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.schnackenberg fh.com.
Larry E. Choate, 71, of Libby
Larry E. Choate, 71, died on Friday, Dec. 7, 2018 at his home in Libby of natural causes. He was born on Jan. 25, 1947 to Edward and Enid Choate in Redding, Calif.
Larry enlisted into the U.S. Army and served for two tours in Vietnam. He was honorably discharged in 1980.
Larry worked as a cook at Happy’s Inn for many years until he retired. He raised two stepchildren and four step grandkids. He loved spending time with his great great grandkids. He loved hunting, fishing, and barbecues.
He was preceded in death by his wife Ruth.
Arrangements are by Schnackenberg Funeral Home in Libby. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.schnackenbergfh.com.
Kenneth John Pemberton, 57, of Libby
June 18, 1961 – Dec. 4, 2018
Kenneth J. Pemberton passed away on Dec. 4, 2018 at Holy Family Hospital in Spokane, Wash. surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Libby, Mont. to John and Karen (Fredricks) Pemberton on June 18, 1961. He, along with his sister Kimberly, and brother David (Chris), lived in Libby until the family moved to Columbia Falls, Mont. in 1968. Ken attended school in Columbia Falls and graduated from Columbia Falls High School with the Class of 1979.
While in school, Ken was a member of the high school choir and is remembered by family and friends for his beautiful tenor voice. As a member of the city swim team, he received several ribbons and was famous for his powerful “butterfly” stroke. He was also a ferocious bowler with a mean left hook that took him to state competitions.
Following graduation, Ken pursued his love of music, and attended North Idaho College in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho majoring in Music. While he did not complete his degree, he never lost his love for music. Throughout his life Ken continued to sing for events, including family weddings and anytime there was a gathering of family or friends.
Ken was a gifted and passionate chef and that eventually became his vocation. He spent most of his adult years working at several restaurants throughout the Flathead Valley. He started his career working alongside his mother at the Brass Lantern Café. Over the years he also worked at the Columbia Café, Park Inn, Montana Coffee Traders, King Cole’s and Fabulous Foods in Kalispell, Mont. Ken also held several jobs as a bartender throughout the valley. He had a great work ethic and was a “people person.” He had a sharp wit, a great laugh and a reputation for “telling it like it is.” Ken was also active in the Kalispell Jaycees for several years, and one of his favorite things was dressing up as “Santa” and giving back to children.
Ken loved to travel and was fortunate to be able to take several trips over the years with his aunt Betty and uncle Ken Anderson and his cousins Barbara Anderson, and Karen Anderson. He so appreciated his time with them. There are too many trips to list them all, but he cruised to Alaska more than once and had visited Las Vegas several times.
In Minnesota he attended a Vikings game, in New York he fulfilled one of his dreams and attended a Barbra Streisand concert, as well as Phil Collins. His favorite trips however, were to Hawaii and California.
In 2000, Ken moved to Spokane to be near his sister and her family while waiting for a liver transplant, which he received in 2002. Even though Ken would battle numerous health issues while recovering from his transplant, he eventually returned to work in Spokane for several years until forced to retire due to ill health. In 2013 he was diagnosed with pulmonary asbestosis as a result of exposure to asbestos fibers during his childhood in Libby. It would be his final battle. With all that he endured, he kept a smile on his face and a song in his heart. Even in his last hours, he sang Christmas carols with his family.
Ken is survived by his father John Pemberton of Kalispell, sister, Kimberly Cavalar of Spokane and her children, Angela (Cavalar) Hansen, Nicholas Cavalar of Spokane and Antonio Cavalar of Denver, Colo. Angela’s children, Carter and Maddox Julien and Ryder Hansen; Nicholas’ children Gracie and Seth Cavalar.
He is also survived by Libby cousins: Karen Stickney, Caral Hilliard, Gary Wood, Joe Wood, and their families as well as numerous other family members in Montana and his Pemberton family in Minnesota.
Ken was preceded in death by his mother Karen Pemberton, brother, David (Chris) Pemberton and infant brother Mark John Pemberton. He was also preceded by his maternal grandparents Ken and Verona Fredricks and his fraternal grandparents, John C and Margaret Pemberton, as well as his Uncle Topper and Aunt Connie Wood.
The family will be holding a service to honor Ken on Jan. 12, 2019 at 1 p.m. at the Columbia Falls Mortuary per his wishes. Come share and celebrate his life. Cards or condolences for the family can be sent to Kim Cavalar, at 3928 North Whitehouse, Spokane, WA 99205. In lieu of flowers please donate to Wings Regional Cancer Support. Donations can be mailed to: Wings, P.O. Box 1160, Libby, Montana 59923.
Marjory A. Moe, 75, of Libby
Marjory (Marge) A. Moe passed away peacefully on Jan. 2, 2019 at the age of 75, in Cabinet Peaks Medical Center in Libby, Mont. in the company of loved ones.
Marge was the third child of four born to Walter and Virginia Deurmier in Wagner, South Dakota on Oct. 4, 1943. She was preceded in death by her parents and brothers Murel, and Dale.
Marge was raised and attended school in Wagner, SD. She married Edward Moe on Jan. 15, 1962 in Wagner. Jan. 15 would have been their 57th wedding anniversary. They started their life together in Ft. Peck, Mont. living there for 17 years. They were blessed with two children, Virginia and Richard. In 1978 Marge and Ed moved to Libby, where she resided until her death. Marge was a wife and mother (homemaker) of which she was proud to have been able to do.
Marge was always active in her community. When her children were younger she was active in the Boys Scouts and Girl Scouts of Fort Peck. While in Libby she was active in the Sons of Norway, where she helped make lefsa for many years. Marge was active with the local chapter of the Red Cross blood drive, the American Legion, the local VFW and the Libby Food Commodities Program at the VFW. She enjoyed her bowling league, pinochle, hand and foot, and many other games, and her TOPS family. She was also a member of the Christ Lutheran Church in Libby. She always loved to tease and banter with her many friends. Marge and Ed loved to attend the local dances at the American Legion and VFW. She would often be found participating in many local social events. She will be greatly missed.
Marge is survived by her husband, Ed of Libby; daughter Virginia (Victor) King of Havre; grandson Vic and great-granddaughters Kaylie and Ava of Havre; grandson Aron (Rudyard); son Richard (Helen) Moe, grandsons Travis and Trevor of Palmyra, Va.; brother Robert Deurmier of Minneapolis, Minn.; and many nieces and nephews, including a special nephew, Dale Briese, who was always there to spice up Marge and Ed’s life.
Services will be at noon on Thursday, Jan. 10, 2019 at Christ Lutheran Church in Libby. Arrangements are by Schnackenberg Funeral Home in Libby. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.schnacken bergfh.com.
Nancy Ann Sagen–Elverud, 78, of Libby
Nancy Ann Sagen–Elerud passed away in Mesa, Ariz. on Dec. 26, 2018.
Nancy was born Jan. 7, 1940 and was 78 at the time of her death.
Obituary to follow at a later date.