Helen Ward

Lifelong Lincoln County resident Helen E. Ward, 59, died Thursday, March 15, at St. John's Lutheran Hospital in Libby following an extended illness.

Helen was born April 22, 1947, in Eureka to Esteniloy "Torry" and Genevieve Enders Torres.

She was raised in old Rexford, attending school there and in Eureka.

Helen married Harley Eugene "Bub" Ward in February 1964. They lived in Warland before coming to Libby.

Helen worked as a checker for 18 years at Empire Foods in Libby.

Remembered for her wonderful smile, Helen enjoyed being a wife, mother and grandmother. She enjoyed country western and polka music, especially in concert.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband in 1997; a brother, Arnold Torres in 1967, and a sister, Kathy Seter in 2003. A sister-in-law, Barbara Benefield, died several hours after her on Thursday.

Survivors include her mother-in-law, Mary Lou Ward of Libby; her children, Jeanne Ward of Fortine, Shannon Patrick and her husband, Shane, of Bonney Lake, Wash., Travis Ward and his companion, Jada, of Kalispell, Ron Ward and his companion, Sheila of Whitefish, and Randy Ward of Libby; grandchildren Dylan, Dalton, Kierra and Vance; her furry four-legged grandchildren; siblings Joyce Boone of Polson, Don Farrell of Ontario, Canada, Richard Torres of St. Louis, Rosemary Gwynn, Maggie King, Jo Anderson, and Tony and Delores Torres, all of Eureka, and Gary Torres of Libby; numerous nieces and nephews; and staff of Empire Foods.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 21, at Nelson & Vial Funeral Home Chapel in Libby with interment following at the City of Libby Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 20.