Lorainne Petrusha

Longtime Libby resident and retired nurse Lorainne Petrusha, 79, died on Friday, Feb. 11, 2005, at Kalispell.

She was born on July 23, 1925, in Nebraska, to Frank and Blanche O¹Brien, As a small child, she moved with her family to Saskatoon, Canada.

The family later returned to the states, settling in Spokane, where Lorrainne attended school.

After graduating from high school at Holy Names Academy, she attended Sacred Heart School of Nursing, earning a nursing degree in 1947.

Following graduation, she and fellow nurse Lee Mills were recruited to come to Libby by Dr. Paul Seifert.

A registered nurse for 49 years, Lorraine served for many years on the staff at St. John¹s Lutheran Hospital, helping to establish many innovations in medical care, including the hospital¹s first intensive care and cardiology units.

As an active member of the community, Lorainne also served as a Cub Scout, Brownie and Girl Scout leader, had been a member of Modern Arts Club, the American Legion Auxiliary and Kootenai Volunteer Hospice. She also served as nurse for Red Cross blood drawings and as an election judge.

Lorainne also was an adult literacy volunteer and was named Woman of the Year by the Libby chapter of Business and Professional Women.

She was also active in the work of St. Joseph Parish. She devoted her time and talents on the altar society, parish council, in Christian education and as a member of the parish choir.

Survivors include her husband, Robert (Bob) Petrusha, Libby; her children Marilyn Jones, Rapid City, S.D.; Jeannette McElroy, Guadalajara, Mexico; Tony Petrusha, Kennewick, Wash.; and Frank Petrusha, Helena; sister Sheila Erwin, Anchorage, Alaska, seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Wednesday at St. Joseph Catholic Church with interment services to follow at the City of Libby Cemetery.

Visitation will begin at 3 p.m. on Tuesday at the Nelson & Vial Funeral Home, with parish vigil and rosary to follow at 7 p.m.

Arrangements are under direction of Nelson & Vial Funeral Home.