Obituaries | The Montanian

Richard L. Viereck, 73, of Libby

Richard L. Viereck passed away on Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018 at his home in Libby, Mont. He was born on April 29, 1945 in Hallock, Minn. to Clarence and Albina (Urban) Viereck. At an early age his family moved to a farm near Kimball, SD.

Richard was drafted in 1966. While serving in the U.S. Army, he spent two years in Germany. He was honorably discharged in 1968. A year later he married Patty Dossow. They moved to Libby, Mont. where he worked at the W.R. Grace mine for 21 years. After the mine closed in 1990, he worked at Stimson Lumber Co., at Libby Public Schools as a substitute custodian, and at Ace Hardware. He worked at Cardinal Hardware for several years, enjoying the people of Libby and his job. Richard said that when the freight came in it was like Christmas seeing all of those new tools. He then retired in 2011.

Richard enjoyed living along the river, puttering in the yard, and sitting on the deck watching the hummingbirds and wildlife. Most of all, he enjoyed his family and watching his young grandchildren grow up. He will be greatly missed.

He was preceded in death by his parents and stepfather, Harold Larter.

Richard is survived by his wife Patty; children Shannie Dean (Tom) of Tucson, Ariz and Rick Viereck (Brandi) of Libby; grandchildren Jason Dean, Alyssa Dean of Tucson, riz. and Sierra Viereck of Libby; brothers Roger Viereck (Cheryl) of Libby, David Viereck of Kimball, SD; and sister Karen Nedved (Bill) of Sioux Falls, SD.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.schnackenberg fh.com.

Mary Elizabeth Auge, 83, of Libby

Mary Elizabeth Auge, 83, passed in her sleep on Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019 in Libby after a brief illness. She was born May 3, 1935 in Grand Rond, Ore. to Albert and Thelma Smith.

She’s preceded in death by her parents and a brother Samuel Smith.

Mary was an active volunteer of the American Legion and was always willing to lend a hand when needed. She enjoyed anything to do with the outdoors, whether it be fishing, hunting or just a nice long ride. She felt her best in nature; she also enjoyed gardening, cooking, canning, sewing and reading westerns. She loved to visit with family, friends and was always quick with a joke or a witty comeback.

Mary had a passion for music ever since she was a child, she never learned to read music but was able to hear a song and play it back on the piano. She was particularly fond of singing and looked forward to karaoke nights.

Mary is survived by her life partner Eddy Dawson, Libby; sons, Art Highland and wife Leonna, Ore.; Mike Highland, Eureka; daughters, Linda Vandeveer, Polson; Marlene Cassidy, Ind.; eight grandchildren and 28 great grandchildren. She will be greatly missed.

A Celebration of life was held at the Libby American Legion on Saturday, Jan. 19 at 1 p.m. Arrangements are by Schnackenberg Funeral Home in Libby. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.schnackenbergfh.com.

Wayne H. Moser (Dan) 77, of Troy

Wayne H. Moser (Dan) 77, of Troy, Mont. died peacefully at home Jan. 4, 2019. Dan was surrounded by his family, knowing how very much he was loved.

Dan was born July 15, 1941 to Howard and Beatrice Pearson Moser, Everett, Wash. He grew up outside of Arlington, Wash. (Lakewood) and attended Lakewood grade school and Arlington High school. Dan married the love of his life, Signe Brevik, in Coeur d Alene, Idaho, Sept. 7, 1959.

He is survived by his wife, Signe Moser, Troy, Mont., Daughters: Leona Dunn, Hot Springs, Ark., Cindy Moser, Tucson, Ariz., and Denise Smith, Marysville, Wash. Dan also leaves behind five grandchildren: Jennifer Corey, Ronnie Wait Jr., Shelly Smith (Chris), Lance Holm and Jay Smith Jr. (Leigh Anna) and seven great grandchildren: Timothy Corey, Ayla Wait, Hunter Eaton, Jackson Eaton, Lydia Husby, Jayden Smith and Kristian Smith, and his sister Darlene Misner, Arlington, Wash. and many nieces, nephews and a large extended family. Dans absence has left a hole in the hearts of many.

Dan enlisted in the U.S. Navy, May 1968 and was honorably discharged in May 1978. Dan was very proud of serving in the Navy. His first duty station was Bremerton Naval Ship yard where he served on tug boats. He also was Chief Engineer on Admiral Schultz’s Barge, Bremerton. Dan also was stationed in Long Beach, Calif. at the Commissary.

Dan is a Vietnam veteran, where he served with distinction and was awarded several medals including, but not limited to: USAF Commendation Medal, Navy Good Conduct Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Metal, and U.S. Vietnam Service Medal. After completing an extensive training program in small boat operations, weapon operations, Vietnamese language and survival techniques, he served as Gunner’s Mate on Swift Boat (PCF 78), attached to Coastal Division 12. Swift Boats patrolled the five northern most provinces in South Vietnam. Swift Boats are capable of high speeds in shallow waters and were used in the support of Operation AMARKET TIME@ to stop the infiltration of supplies from North to South Vietnam.

Upon leaving the Navy, Dan and Signe and their three daughters returned to Lakewood, (Arlington) Wash. Dan worked for Western Gear, Everett, Nicholson Manufacturing Co., Seattle, Flo Drill, Arlington, Wash., and WesTech, Lynwood, Calif.

Dan and Signe enjoyed traveling, on one of their trips, they fell in love with Troy, Mont. They sold their Lakewood home, packed their bags, and moved to Troy, where they have called home for the last 20 years on the Kootenai River. Dan loved to spend time in his yard, he especially loved his lawns, no one had a greener lawn, and working in his shop, and just sitting on the deck watching the river flow by.

Dan belonged to Troy’s Veterans of Foreign Wars, Swift Boat Sailors Associations, American Legion, Disabled Veterans and Elks.

Memorials will be announced at a later date by: Troy’s, VFW (Mont.) and Tahoma National Cemetery, Kent, Wash.

James Goddard Sichting, 77, of Libby

James Goddard Sichting, 77, died Jan. 15, 2019 at his home on Pipe Creek. He was born April 27, 1941 to Frank and Bessie Sichting in Libby. Jim was the youngest of four brothers and one sister that all pre-deceased him.

Jim was born and raised in Libby, graduated high school and went to college. Jim returned to Libby and taught until he started working for the U.S. Forest Service in 1972. He also worked on the Libby Dam project when it was being built.

Jim enjoyed hunting, fishing, animals and the outdoors.

Jim is survived by his son Shane and his daughter Amber, both of Libby. He is also survived by grandson, Anthony Grob, Nixon, Mo.; granddaughter Brandee Turney, Seattle; and great-grandchildren Liam and Aubrey Turney. Services will be held at Schnakenberg Funeral Home on Saturday, Jan. 26 at 11 a.m. with reception to follow at the Elks.

Louis R. Bush, 80, of Troy