Walter R. Wuest

Walter R. Wuest peacefully went to be with our Lord on Monday, March 2, 2015, at the Cabinet Peaks Medical Center. He was born Sept. 29, 1926, in Malta to Arnold and Bertha Wuest. He came to Libby at the age of 6.

Walt went to work for the United States Forest Service during the summer of 1944 before joining the United States Navy. Upon being honorably discharged in 1946, he worked for Bill Blew at Zonolite for two years. He and Billy Harris owned and operated their own dump-truck business from 1949 to 1951. He then went to work for J. Neils Lumber Company driving logging truck. He continued driving logging truck for St. Regis Lumber Co. and Champion International until his retirement in 1988. He also operated a Wagner while working for Champion.

Walt was a long-standing member of the American Legion and the Legion Firing Squad. He also drove the Veterans Administration van for 13 years.

Walt married Norma Rae Pival in 1949. Pauly joined them in 1955 and Wally in 1958. Walt and Norma were later divorced.

Walt was preceded in death by two infant sons; parents Arnold and Bertha Wuest; brother Leon Wuest; sister Betty Pollard, and great-granddaughter Natashai Jacobs.

Walt is survived by his daughter, Pauline Churchill, of Spokane, Wash.; son, Wally (Darlene) Wuest, of Libby; four grandchildren, Paul, Tracy, Rachel, and Kyle; 10 great-grandchildren; and his special friends, Marge Snyder, her daughter Becky Chase and Becky’s family.

Private family services will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project in honor of Walt’s dedication and service to our veterans. Arrangements are by Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Home in Libby.