Nellie Riddle

Former Libby resident Nellie Mae Riddle, 97, died on Oct. 1, 2005, at Newport, Ore.

She was born on Oct. 5, 1907, at Salem, Ore., to Harvey and Julia Pro Heller.

Her parents moved to Montana to homestead near Savoy.

Nellie attended schools at Savoy and Harlem and graduated from high school in Iowa.

She worked as a waitress in a logging camp near Seattle, and married Smith Riddle on Aug. 31, 1940, at Chinook.

They worked on the Shasta Dam in California and later moved to Portland, Ore. They worked as welders on the ships on Swan Island during World War II.

Later they moved to Montana and farmed east of Harlem. They raised horses and cattle and were active with the Milk River Riders. Nellie served as secretary for the organization.

After selling the ranch, Smith and Nellie moved to Libby, where Smith worked for J. Neils Lumber Company and Nellie became involved with the Senior Citizens Center.

In addition to participating in center activities such as bingo, crafts and meals and painting, Nellie was center secretary.

Smith Riddle died in December 1979, and in 1999 Nellie moved to Newport to live near her nephew Roy Foss and his wife Geraldine.

Nellie was also preceded in death by a sister, Nola K. Turner.

Survivors include many nieces and nephews in addition to Roy and Geraldine Foss.

At her request no services will be conducted and her ashes will be buried beside her husband at Harlem. Memorials may be directed to Bateman Funeral Home in Newport which is in charge of arrangements.