George Stebbins

The grandfather of a Libby man, George F. Stebbins, 99, formerly of Kalispell, died on Feb. 4, 2006 in Vancouver, Wash., just short of his 100th birthday.

George was born in Fairmont, N.D., on Feb. 22, 1906 to Walter King and August Stebbins, one of six children. The Stebbins family ranched at Rock Springs, north of Miles City.

George was an electrician; first working for Billings Neon and then for the Northern Pacific Railroad in Laurel. He retried from the railroad at age 65.

He married Janet Young in May 1938 in Billings. They had three children, Elaine Schlenker of Bozeman, Paul Stebbins of Vancouver, Wash., (a former Libby teacher), and Alexandra "Sandy" Herzog of Kalispell.

George enjoyed gardening, yard work, reading and tinkering on various small engines. His last few years were spent in an assisted-living facility in Vancouver, near his son Paul. While there he enjoyed watching TV, reading, visiting, lunches at Willie's Cafe and mocha Starbucks coffee.

He is survived by his three children, eight grandchildren - including Terry Stebbins of Libby - and three great grandchildren.

Cremation has taken place.

A combined funeral service for George and his deceased wife Janet will be held sometime in the summer of 2006 in Bozeman. George and Janet, who died June 2003, will be interred together in a family plot at Bozeman.