Joan Runyan, 87 of Libby

Joan B. Runyan, 87, died on Monday, May 26, 2014, at Libby Care Center. She was born to Leonard J. and Ida A. Brown in Havre, on Nov. 24, 1926. She moved with her family to Libby in August of 1936 where she completed her schooling, graduating with the Class of 1943.

She worked at First State Bank until July of 1944. She moved to Spokane to attend Kinman Business University where she obtained a degree in accounting, which she pursued the rest of her working life. She taught school in Harrison, Idaho, under a War Emergency Permit in 1945-46 and later worked at Kinman in the office. She returned to Libby in 1946 and took a position as bookkeeper for the Kootenai Mercantile Co., after which she was bookkeeper for Libby Motors.

She married Charles R. (Dick) Runyan in 1947 and he preceded her in death in 1968. She later worked for Fennessy and Crocker, Zonolite Co. (W. R. Grace) for 21 years, Potlatch Corporation in Spokane and ASARCO at the Troy mine. In later years she was employed by the U. S. Forest Service under the Senior Worker’s Program, retiring from there in 1992.

She was an avid golfer and bowler and enjoyed outdoor activities. She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Parish; the Pioneer Society, where she served 13 years as treasurer; a member of the Libby Community Thrift Store, where she was secretary for 13 years. She also volunteered at the Heritage Museum cataloging items which had been donated. In 2005 she became ill and spent six months at the Libby Care Center then went home and lived on her own successfully.

One daughter, Barbara Runyan, of Eureka, one brother, James L. Brown of Sacramento, Calif., and five nieces and nephews, all in California, survive her.

Services are pending and will be announced at a later date. Arrangements are by Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Home & Crematory in Libby.