Katherine Dunham

On June 10, 2015, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center, Katherine Marie (Kimberlin) Dunham, 70, lost her battle with ovarian cancer. She didn’t leave this world without a fight. She fought for 10 years and 10 days harder than anyone, trying to beat the odds. She will always be remembered for her kind and upbeat attitude, constantly finding the good even in the face of such a horrid disease.

She was born May 21, 1945, in Crookston, Minn., to Jesse and Laura Halverson. She went to school in Fertile, Minn., graduated from Fertile High School and went on to Moorehead State University where she completed a degree in teaching. Her first and only teaching job was here in Libby. She was an excellent teacher who greatly affected the lives and students of the town of Libby. For years as she and Jon traveled around this great big country, she would hear “Mrs. K, Mrs. K” and would see another former student, or two, eager to update her on their achievements.

The Libby school system was blessed to have such a dedicated teacher that was, and is, loved by all she came in contact with. She often would remark, “160 students per year for 30 plus years, how do I remember all their names?” Like the true teacher she was, she would listen to their stories, provide support, regale them with fun memories and, soon enough, would be back at the tip of her classroom, dishing advice, teaching writing and reading and being everyone’s best friend.

One of her very favorite pastimes was reading. She was buried in a book more often than not, or working on a Soduku puzzle. She loved to travel and would spend hours mapping out trips for her and Jon to take, very often to Alaska, where Michael is and has been stationed several times.

She is survived by her husband Jon Dunham, daughter Laura Kimberlin Taylor and son-in-law John Taylor, her son Michael Kimberlin and daughter-in-law Janelle Kimberlin; stepchildren Jeff Dunham and wife Dana Hinson, Jerry Dunham and wife Sue Dunham, Jackie Colling, Robyn Dunham Paulson and husband Kurtis Paulson, and Eryn Dunham Jenkins and husband Dan Jenkins; grandchildren Kody, Kalee, Matthew, Christopher, Nicholas, Ella, Kiye, Zhane, Justin, Jamie, Jetta and Jillian.

Services will be at 11 a.m., Friday, June 19, 2015 at Christ Lutheran Church, 200 W Larch, in Libby, with a luncheon to follow in the Fellowship Hall. Arrangements are by Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Home in Libby. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.schnackenbergfh.com.