FAMILY NEWS

Michelle Ann Colaianni, 33 Of Libby

Michelle Ann Colaianni, born April 28, 1989, to William Colaianni and Diane Gialombardo left her worldly body Friday, February 17, 2023, and is now wrapped in the arms of our sweet Jesus.

Michelle loved Montana, loved her family, her dogs, chickens, turkeys, and friends. Being outdoors and riding in her side-by-side, fishing in the Kootenai, under the old bridge, or at Alvord Lake, is where she could be found most times. Side-by-side rides to Spar Lake, China Mountain, or even back roads to Bonners were her quiet peace rides. Having a friend with her during these adventures made her so happy but being alone was ok too. Ask anyone, she was prepared! With hand saws, fire starters, first aid kit, warm clothes (even in the summer), she was prepared and ready to wait on us to find her, or heading out from where she was to find us first.

In 2007, she added Denton to her family name and always said with Colaianni and Denton as her roots nothing could stop her. She was such an amazing, strong-willed, red headed firecracker. She loved with everything she had, hugged with all her might, and had a smile that could change your day.

So many more things could be said to explain her to people who didn’t have the privilege to know her. For the ones who did, she will be forever loved and forever missed.

Michelle’s dogs and cats were her life companions.  A wonderful family in Troy, Montana has adopted Michelle’s furry family to honor her love and keep her pets together.

A visitation was held on Sunday, February 26, 2023 at the Schnackenberg Funeral Home in Libby, MT. Services were under the care of Schnackenberg Funeral Home in Libby, MT. Online condolences and memories may be shared by visiting www.schnackenbergfh.com

Tracy Lee Lauer, 57, Of Libby

Tracy Lee Lauer, 57, went to see Jesus on Tuesday, January 3, 2023, after a 15 year battle with cancer.

Tracy was born in Whitefish, Montana, to Bob and Jeannie Dennis, on May 26, 1965. The family moved to Libby in 1970. Tracy attended preschool at St. John’s Lutheran, grade school at Plummer, and graduated from Libby High School in 1983.  She went on to Boise Bible College, always pursuing her Lord and Savior!

For a few years Tracy lived in New Jersey where she worked as a nanny. That was the start of her love for children. She later moved back to Mead, WA. where she worked in retail.  January of 1997, Mark Lauer knocked on her door, and so began a life together.  Tracy said yes, and on March 28, 1997, they were married.  Tracy helped raise Mark’s son’s Kale and Cole just as if they were her own.  Soon after, Tracy’s prayers were answered and they had a son, Erik, and not long after a daughter, Laurynn, completing their family. Tracy truly was an amazing mother!

In Libby, Tracy worked at the Kootenai Valley Christian School for a while, and then in the public school where she helped many, many kids excel and grow.  She always said her best friends were 3 feet tall.

In 2007, Tracy started her fight with cancer, and with God’s grace, always did it with a smile, no matter how things were inside.

Tracy is preceded in death by her father Bob and sister Robin.

Tracy is survived by her mother Jeannie; husband Mark; and son Erik, all of Libby; daughter Laurynn of Fargo, ND; son Kale (Brandy) of Lake Stevens, WA, and son Cole (Morgan) of Kalkaska, MI. Tracy is also survived by her 4 grandchildren Gracie, Drew, June, and Jack, all whom she adored!

Tracy’s testimony has touched many people all around the world! For years Tracy talked about how her celebration of life was to be. So at her request, please honor her wish by wearing bright, colorful Hawaiian print and come join the family and Holy Spirit in the celebrating of Tracy’s amazing life on Saturday, March 18, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at the Libby Christian Church, in Libby, MT.

Arrangements are made by the Schnackenberg Funeral Home of Libby, MT. Online memories and condolences may be shared by visiting www.schnackenbergfh.com.

Shirley

Nelson, 89, Of Libby

Shirley Nelson, 89, passed away peacefully at the Logan Health Center in Kalispell, Mont. on Monday, February 27, with her husband and nearest son at her side. She had suffered a stroke the day before and was flown to Kalispell for treatment.

Shirley was born to Leonard and Lucille Homann on Sept. 2, 1933, in Libby, and was the third of three girls in the family. Shirley was active in school activities and closed out her high school senior year as a cheer leader for the then Libby Terriers.  In the fall of 1951, while a senior, she met her husband to be, Everett Nelson. After graduation in 1952, she started work at the local bank in the booking department. Everett and Shirley married on July 21, 1953. Shirley

was proud of her children and a great supporter of anything they were interested in doing; like becoming a den mother for the boys as they went through the scouting program.   As they approached high school age and early college, she took a part time position as the daily bookkeeper at the Torgison Husky Oil and Gas Station. Early in her marriage, she took up and excelled in her knitting, crocheting, cross stitching and embroidering skills.

Shirley was well known in the family for her dish cloths, scarves, afghans, tablecloths, napkins and tons of baby blankets.

Shirley was preceeded in death by her parents, Leonard and Lucille Homann; her oldest sister Gloria (Bob Brinton) (Edward Peck); and middle sister Gweneth (Henry “Buck” Nelson).

Shirley is survived by her husband Everett Nelson of 69 years; son Jon Nelson and wife Cheryl of Edmonds, WA, son Jeffrey Nelson and wife Dhana of Libby, son James (Jim) Nelson and wife Grace of Missoula MT; and daughter Jeannette (Jan) Nelson and partner Julie McCurdy of Great Falls, MT; nine grandchildren; and seven great grandchildren.

Shirley has been cremated and will rest at their home until her husband joins her to continue their journey to the Libby Cemetery together

If gifts or memorials are to be given in her name, please consider the Christ Lutheran Church Foundation Fund or a Charity of your choice.

Arrangements were made by the Schnackenberg Funeral Home of Libby. Online condolences and memories may be shared by visiting www.schnackenbergfh.com.

Barbara Jo (Foster) Dinning, 87, Of Libby

Barbara Jo (Foster) Dinning, 87, passed away peacefully at Schneidmiller Hospice House in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, with family by her side on February 20.

Bobby was born January 28, 1936, in Alicia, Arkansas to Wayne and Edna Foster. She joined 9 older siblings. She grew up in Egypt, Arkansas and graduated High School there in 1954.

While traveling to Spokane, Washington, she met Donald Irvin Dinning, and they married in 1955. In 1956 Bobby and Irvin settled in Bonners Ferry, Idaho where they raised four children: Dan, Rick, Dianna and Jay. In 1986 they moved to Libby, Montana.

Bobby’s joy in life was taking care of her family. She helped in all areas of their lives: from assisting at the family restaurant, showing registered Paint horses, attending events her kids were active in, to happily watching her grandchildren. She always had a big garden and loved canning and sewing. Family meals were a priority (and enjoyed by all). Bobby was a regular bowler well into her 80’s and a member of Beta Sigma Phi. She worshipped her Lord and Savior at Bonners Ferry Baptist Church and Libby Christian Church.

Bobby was preceded in death by her parents and siblings, husband Irvin, daughter Dianna, and infant son Larry.

She is survived by children Dan (Mary), Rick (Chris), Jay (Lori) and Son-in-Law, Tim (Sondra), 12 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.

She will be laid to rest next to Irvin at the Grandview Cemetery in Bonners Ferry. A Memorial and Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers she would have loved donations to Wings Regional Cancer Support or The Anna Schindler Foundation.

“Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in His holy mountain.  Beautiful for elevation, the joy of the whole earth, is Mount Zion on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.  God is in her palaces; He is known as her refuge…tell it to the generation following;  For this is God, our God, forever and ever; He will be our guide even to death.”  Psalm 48:1-3, 13b-14

 

– Submitted by Ruthanne Dolezal