Michael Woods

Michael Woods

61, of Bonner

Michael Gene Woods, 61, loving husband, father, and grandfather, passed away at his home in Bonner on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2016. 

Mike was born on March 29, 1954, in Hoven, S.D., to Glenn and Rose Woods. He was seventh of their eleven children. Mike moved with his family to Libby in 1962 where they owned and operated the Dome Theater and Libby Drive-in. He attended Libby schools and graduated high school with the class of 1972. His love of driving fast cars and four-wheeling led him to a career in automotive mechanics. In 1974 he earned his associate’s degree from Spokane Community College.

While working for the new owners of the theater, Mike fell in love with the “girl behind the counter,” Virginia Barton, who he married Aug. 27, 1976. They moved to Missoula to begin their new life together where Mike pursued a career in auto mechanics. In the early 1980s, Mike took the opportunity to become a commercial diver. He soon became passionate about diving and later took over the business. During this time, he also owned and operated Economy Weed Control. His most important job was being a father to 10 tax write-offs and dishwashers – the Woods Clan. 

Mike most cherished spending time with his family and friends. He enjoyed hosting gatherings, that included BBQs, game nights and holiday festivities, hunting camp, playing pool and turkey shoots. He became an expert at collecting and dickering for a good deal. His most recent accomplishment was building the garage of his dreams where he could start a new hobby of restoring vintage cars. He greatly loved camping, boating, water-skiing and a good game of horseshoes out on Bull Lake. He looked forward to the annual Woodsfest family and friends weekend gathering. When he wasn’t polishing the boat or preparing for Woodsfest, he was prepping the guns and camper for hunting season. At hunting camp, all were welcomed with a game of cribbage and gourmet meal of Hamburger Helper. 

Mike was baptized in the Roman Catholic Church and has been an active member of St. Ann’s Parish for 34 years. He had also been a member of the Knights of Columbus. Mike and Ginny also spent over a decade volunteering their time for the Boy and Girl Scout Organizations with their children. Mike was a leader for every level of Cub Scouts and served as Scout Master of Bonner Troop 5. 

Mike was preceded in death by his parents Glenn and Rose Woods; his brothers Brian, Dan and Jerry Woods; brother by marriage, Chris Barton; sisters, Maria Marozzo and Carol Woods and nephews Zach Newman, Greg Woods and Michael Marozzo.

As a family of faith, we believe that Mike will be an angel to guard and protect his loving wife, Virginia, of Bonner; five sons and five daughters and eleven grandchildren, Alec and Hilary Woods and grandchild Ty of Ketchikan, Alaska; Jillian and Jeromy Moore and grandchildren Wyatt, Makenna, and Morgan of Missoula; Lindsay and Matthew Holman and grandchild Ryleigh of Wasilla, Alaska; Adam and Trisha Woods and grandchildren Callen, Craig, and Kierstyn of Turah; Leah and Ryan Bradshaw and grandchildren Kobe, Kenzie, and Kason of Missoula; Andrew Woods of Wasilla, Alaska; Aaron Woods of Clinton; Jenna Woods and Byron Watson of Missoula; Caitlin Woods of Missoula; and Austin Woods and Kelsey Knie of Missoula; his brothers Tom (Mori) Woods of Butte, Tony Woods of Kalispell, sisters Joanne (Larry) Newman of Libby, Diane (David) VanBuren of Kalispell and Julie (Bob) Komenda of Marion; and his family through marriage Nancy Barton of Libby; Marcia and Mark McNamee of North Ireland, Bob Marozzo of Libby, Tim Barton of Kalispell, John Barton of East Glacier; Mona Woods of Kalispell; Kayley Barton-Robertson of Libby; Angie McElmurry of Bonners Ferry, Idaho, and Walter McElmurry of Libby. His wealth of family includes an abundance of special nieces and nephews, and their children, he loved dearly. Mike was blessed with many dear friends including the Petersons, the Phoenixes, the Dumonts, and the Sandbergs.

Visitation was held Monday, from 5 p.m. until 6 p.m. at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Bonner, with Rosary starting at 6 p.m. Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday at St. Ann’s. As he wished, Mike will be laid to rest amongst his deceased family members in Libby Cemetery Friday, Feb. 12.