Mary Katheryn Dye Hveem

Mary Katheryn Dye Hveem, 87, died Thursday, Feb. 2, 2006, at the Libby Care Center.

She was born May 16, 1918, in West Union, Iowa, the only child of Elmer Willard Dye and Mabel Matilda Nefzger Dye. She moved to Montana with her parents in 1922 to join her mother's parents and brothers, who were homesteading near Vida, Montana.

Mary attended grade school in Vida and high school in Wolf Point, graduating in 1936. She attained her teaching degree from the University of Montana and on April 19, 1942, married a Wolf Point High School classmate, Howard Hveem, in Osage, Iowa, prior to his departure for oversees duty in World War II.

While Howard was away, Mary was called back to Wolf Point by the superintendent of schools to take a vacant teaching position in biology. She later taught history and then earned a master of library science degree from the University of Montana and was the librarian for Wolf Point High School until her retirement in 1978.

Mary and Howard had two children, Chrys Ann Marchant, currently living in Libby, and Lee Ellen Hveem, currently living in New York City.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Elmer Dye in 1968 and Mabel Dye in 1966 and her husband, Howard, on June 16, 1996.

Her survivors included her daughters, her son-in-law Larry Marchant and her grandson, Luke Marchant, who all took special care of Mary at various times in recent years.

Mary was a member of First Lutheran Church in Wolf Point, Christ Lutheran Church in Libby and the Ruth Circle at both churches. She also belonged to Delta Kappa Gamma, a teachers' honorary society. She loved to read — especially mysteries — work crossword puzzles, and dance with Howard. She loved her family and will be missed.

Funeral services were held on Monday at Christ Lutheran Church. Interment services will be at a later date in Wolf Point.