Julie Rathbun

Julie Rathbun

79, of Libby

Julie Ann Rathbun, wife of James F. Rathbun, retired Kootenai National Forest Supervisor, passed away at Cabinet Peaks Medical Center in Libby, in the early morning hours of Friday, Dec. 18 after a brief illness. She was 79 years of age. 

Julie is survived by her husband, James F. Rathbun of Libby; sons Martin F. Rathbun of Kamuela, Hawaii and James J. Rathbun of Wenatchee, Wash.; daughters Sara J. Jackson of Montague, Calif.; Mary E Kerr of Wenatchee, Wash., and Carolyn A. Townsend of Ellensburg, Wash.

Her grandchildren are Lindsie Rodrigues, Taylor Rathbun, Angela and Robert Kerr, Brooks, Trace, Carson, Sawyer and McCoy Townsend and great-granddaughter, Ana Rodrigues.

Born in Lewiston Idaho, on Jan. 8, 1936, to Frank and Olive Phillips, Julie was one of four children and is survived by brothers, John Phillips of Rhode Island, Frank Phillips of Star, Idaho, and sister Nancy Gregory of Lewiston, Idaho.

Julie attended Boise High School and Idaho State University and subsequently was employed at the Morrison-Knutsen Company in Anchorage, Alaska. Upon returning to Boise, Idaho, She met James F. Rathbun and they married on June 7, 1958 in Boise, Idaho. 

Jim Rathbun obtained a Bachelors of Science Degree in Forestry from the University of Idaho and, upon graduation, Jim and Julie began a life with the Forest Service and were blessed along the way with five children - of whom she was dedicated and proud. As a homemaker of a forester, she had the opportunity of living in many different locations during their life together, among which were Moscow, Idaho, Council, Idaho, Enterprise, Utah, Panguitch, Utah, Emmett, Idaho, Albuquerque, N.M., Yreka, Calif., and finally Libby. Jim retired from the United States Forest Service in 1989 and they have remained members of the Libby community to this day.

Wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and a friend to too many to count and to all she met, Julie had a wonderful sense of humor, always good for an adventure - or as she would say - a lark, and her favorite word was fun. Her favorite phrase, “life is always better with a little bit of lipstick!” Julie always found ways to make everything fun, always had an activity for someone to participate in, or to add to the mix. She was always accepting of those she came in contact with and she will be remembered as being supportive of her children and family. 

Even though her primary focus was her family,  she was active in PTA, 4-H, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, Brownies, Order of Eastern Star, Job’s Daughters and the Altar Society. She was also a longtime member of the Republican Party, serving the campaigns of Cecil D. Andres, Rep. Ed Williams and countless grassroots politicians, and was a member of the Libby/Lincoln County Republican Club.  

Mrs. Rathbun’s family wish to express their gratitude for the kind care and vigilance of the medical and nursing staff of the Kalispell Regional Medical Center and the Cabinet Peaks Medical Center for their compassionate care of our mother. Julie has requested no services and will be interred in Wenatchee, Wash., at a later date after a gathering of family. We request no memorials and, instead, wish any donations be sent to the care of the Cabinet Peaks Medical Center. Arrangements are under the care of Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Home of Libby.  Online condolences and memories may be share by visiting www.schnackenbergfh.com.