Marilyn Howard, 68, formerly of Libby

Marilyn Jannusch Howard, 68, passed away Aug. 27, 2013. 

She was born in Conrad on Aug. 17, 1945, to Nettie (Lane) and Albert Carl Jannusch. All of her grandparents and one set of great-grandparents were homesteaders in Montana. Marilyn grew up on a ranch near the small community of Dupuyer with three brothers and two sisters.  

Life on a Montana ranch required young folks to learn early to ride horses, take care of livestock, care for the chickens, dogs, cats and each other.  She attended a three-room school from first through third grades. She traveled 25 miles each day to attend high school in Valier where she graduated in 1963.  

On Feb. 24, 1965, Marilyn married Larry Dotson in Idaho Falls, Idaho. They had two sons, Scott and Todd Dotson, who both now reside in Kalispell. They lived in Butte where Larry worked in the mine and Marilyn worked in a restaurant. 

In 1970, they moved to Libby where Larry worked on building Libby Dam and Marilyn volunteered at several Libby schools. With some additional training, Marilyn became a teacher’s aide, which she enjoyed for 12 more years. In 1987, Marilyn and Larry were divorced.  

She married Charlie Howard on March 24, 1990, in Libby.

Marilyn enjoyed camping, quilting, photography, dancing, riding horseback, baseball and shopping. She also did some snowshoeing, ice fishing, golf and church activities including the Steven ministry. She was the president of the PTA in Libby, taught Sunday school, and belonged to the Kalispell quilting club. 

Marilyn was always surrounded by many friends and always made time for others and was the best empathetic listener.

Marilyn was preceded in death by a brother, Allen Jannusch. 

Survivors include her parents, Nettie and Albert “Junior” Jannusch of Dupuyer; husband, Charlie Howard of Kalispell; sons, Scott and Todd Dotson of Kalispell; Charlie’s children, Paige Howard and partner Amy Jensen of Whitefish, and Michael and (Tori) Howard; grandchildren, Emily Jensen (U.S. Navy), Brandon Werre and Matthew and Nathan Howard; brother, Bill “BJ” and (Judy) Jannusch of Marion, Neil and (Cheryl) Jannusch of Warrenton, Ore.; sister, Leanne and (John) Hayne of Dupuyer; sister, Lisa and (Doug) Sheble of Cut Bank; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Memorial services for Marilyn will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 31, at Epworth United Methodist Church in Kalispell with Pastor Steve Hermes officiating. 

Urn burial will follow in the C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, Marilyn’s request was to help the hungry with a donation to the food bank and Uncor.  Donations to Uncor can be made at Epworth Methodist Church in Kalispell. 

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Marilyn’s family. Friends are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to view Marilyn’s tribute wall, offer condolences and share memories.