Merrilla Aarstad

Merrilla Aarstad

77, of Libby

Merrilla Mae Aarstad, 77,  (nee Smee) passed peacefully from this earth and returned to the side of her beloved husband Glenn Edward, “her old toad,” and their sweet baby girl Glenna Mae.

Merrilla was born Nov. 4, 1938, in Buffalo, Wyo., to Jess Francis Smee and Amy Smee (nee Myers). Merrilla grew up in the shadow of the Big Horn Mountains in Dayton, Wyo., where she attended school and graduated as valedictorian of the Class of 1957 from Dayton High School.  

She married Glenn in an intimate ceremony on April 4, 1959, in Sheridan, Wyo., at the home of family friends Frank and Nina Kaaz. Merrilla and her family moved to Libby in 1966.  After Glenn was hurt working for the St. Regis Paper Company she went to work at Mac’s Market where she was employed for ten years, retiring in 2000.

They had four children, Francis Daniel Aarstad of Libby, Glenna Mae Aarstad (deceased), Della Florence Brossman (Rod) of Libby and Richard Ray Aarstad (Kim) of Helena.  She is also survived by three grandchildren: Rick Shaver (April) of Spokane, Wash.; Amanda Barnes (Brian) of Libby and Duncan Johnson of Libby; four great-grandchildren: Chesnie Diane and Kashlyn Christine Shaver of Spokane, Wash., Emmah Jo and Braydun Mitchell Barnes of Libby and her sister Frances Amy Ford (nee Smee) of Sheridan, Wyo.

The children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren invite friends and family to join them in a celebration of Merrilla’s life at the Fireside Room of the Venture Inn on Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2015 from 2:30 p.m. until 4 p.m. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to hospice. Arrangements are by Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Home in Libby. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.schnackenbergfh.com.