Jeannie Spooner

Jeannie M. Spooner, 83, of Libby passed away Thursday, Dec. 4, 2014, in Libby. She was born Nov. 13, 1931, in Avery, Idaho, to Andrew J. and Madeline I. (Harrigan) Root.

Jeannie attended schools in Montana and Idaho, graduating as valedictorian of her class from St. Maries High School in St. Maries, Idaho. After graduation, she attended Kinman Business University in Spokane, Wash., graduating at the top of her class.  

Jeannie met Robert “Bob” Spooner in St. Maries, Idaho, and they were married Nov. 10, 1950. They had two children, Lana and Lance. Bob worked for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and they lived many places, including Washington, Idaho, Montana and South Dakota before moving to Libby in 1969. It was here that Jeannie began her 30-year career with the U.S. Forest Service.

In 1989, she was instrumental in getting the National Christmas Tree to come from the Kootenai National Forest. She traveled to Washington, D.C. for the lighting ceremony.  She was preceded in death by her father Andrew Root and mother Madeline Isaacson.

Survivors include her husband of 64 years, Bob Spooner; daughter Lana Walen (Scott Noble); son Lance Spooner (Kelly); stepmother Eleanor Root; sister Vicky Root; brother Alan Root; grandchildren Andy Walen (Cheslie), Crystal Silva, Stephenie Silva, Jackson Spooner, Jessica Noble Rodarte (Pat), and Drew Noble; and great-grandchildren Izabella Walen, Lincoln Walen, Paige Rodarte, and Elliott Rodarte.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Dec. 12, 2014, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Libby. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Dec. 11, 2014, at Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Home.