Mark Jungst

Mark Stephan Jungst, 65, died at his home in Johnson Draw, Libby, on Feb. 5, 2015.

Mark was born in Kalispell on Oct. 18, 1949, to Walter, Jr. and Lois (Sims) Jungst. He lived in Hungry Horse until age eight when he and his family moved to Libby. Growing up, he learned welding from his dad at Jungst Welding and Machine Shop. Mark, a motor-head in high school, played football as a guard for the Libby Loggers, winning the 1967-68 Montana State Championship.  He graduated from Libby High School in 1968 and attended Western College in Havre for mechanical engineering.

Mark was a member of the Operating Engineers Union and worked as a welder-mechanic in several shops, on road construction projects and at the Troy Mine. It was said he could weld anything but ‘the crack of dawn and a broken heart’.

Mark designed and built his home in the woods, a hydroelectric- and solar-powered sanctuary. He celebrated the good things in life: skied the blackest of diamonds at Turner Mountain, spent time outdoors, listened to great music, raised three wild babies with his soul mate Barb and surrounded himself with love and lasting friendships.

He is preceded in death by his father Walter and sister-in-law Jo Ann. He is survived by his wife Barbara; children Jeremiah (Amber) Merritt and granddaughter Emerson of Folsom, Calif., Laura (Zachary Faulkner) of Libby and Kyle of Missoula; mother Lois; brothers Phillip and Matt; sister-in law Carol Ramos; nephews Jesse Jungst (Nicole) of Libby and Jesse Ramos of Missoula.

A gathering to honor Mark will be held at Jaycee Clubhouse in Pioneer Park, Libby at 1 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 13.  Arrangements by Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Home in Libby.  Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.schnackenbergfh.com.