Melvin Schwede

With family by his side, Melvin Edward Schwede, 69, beloved husband, father, son, brother, grandfather and friend, passed away of cancer March 10, 2005, at Brendan House in Kalispell.

Mel, the eldest son of Floyd and Valda (Hansen) Schwede, was born Sept. 9, 1935, in Hartland, N.D., and graduated from nearby Berthold High School in 1953. Following graduation, Mel held several farming and other jobs. In 1955, he started a 45-year career with Great Northern Railroad (currently known as Burlington Northern Santa Fe). Additionally, Mel served as a radar specialist in the U.S. Army from 1958-1960.

In 1972, while working in Essex, Mel met Marge (Kosse), a railroad operator at the depot. The couple married July 21, 1973, at St. Richard's Catholic Church in Columbia Falls. Three beautiful daughters followed. In 1983, the family moved to West Glacier, where Mel held the position of CTC signal maintainer until retirement in 2000.

An avid fisherman, Mel enjoyed fishing trips with good friends and family. He also loved keeping track of his many sports teams. If he couldn't find a game to watch, his other passions were watching Westerns and collecting genealogical information.

Mel was preceded in death by his father, Floyd; his aunt, Lulu Sloan; two uncles, Raymond and DeForest; one brother-in-law, Gary Deaver; and two nephews, Randy Deaver and Ben Kosse.

He is survived by his wife, Marge, of West Glacier; his mother, Valda Schwede of Minot, N.D. three daughters, Shelley Torgersen and Carie Schwede, both of Spokane, Wash., and Jennifer Paull and her husband, Eric, of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho; a sister, Judy Deaver, and a brother, Gerald Schwede, both of Berthold, N.D.; four grandchildren, Tresa and Devin Torgersen and Keera and Kali Paull; and 13 nieces and nephews.

A rosary and wake was held March 14, 2005, at St. Richard's Catholic Church in Columbia Falls. A Mass of the Resurrection was held March 15, 2005 at St. Richard's, with Rev. Joe Pat Moran officiating. Burial followed at St. Richard's cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Brendan House in Kalispell.

Margarette Libby

Margarette L. Libby, 54, of Martin City, passed away March 13, 2005, at her home.

She loved camping and doing hobbies. She will be missed by many.

She was preceded in death by her daughter, Geri Libby.

She is survived by three children, Ernie Libby, Candy Armstrong and Guy Martin, all of Martin City. Other survivors include Wilma and Chuck Berry, Linda and Kenneth McCully, and Carol and Greg Gehrkens.

The family will conduct a private service.

Nadine McLaughlin

Nadine A. McLaughlin, 70, died Dec. 15, 2004, in Columbia Falls.

A memorial service will be held for her at 2 p.m. on March 26, 2005, at the North Club House in Ronan.

Nadine was born Dec. 30, 1933, in Columbia Falls to Jack and Celestine Grigg.

Nadine married Carl McLaughlin on Aug. 15, 1951, in Columbia Falls.

Survivors include her husband Carl, of Columbia Falls; children Carla Higgins, of Colorado, Lea Kemper, of Idaho, Connie McLaughlin, of Washington, Jay McLaughlin, of Nevada, and Deann Coffey, of Washington; 16 grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; and siblings Melvin and Floyd Grigg and Geraldine Gimbel, all of Columbia Falls.

A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. on March 26, 2005, at Calvary Cemetery in Ronan.