Earl R. Goyen, 87, of Libby

After a lifetime of service to others it seems only fitting that Earl slipped gently into the loving arms of his Savior on Labor Day at the Libby Care Center with his daughter-in-law Karen Disney and step-son Harry Disney by his side.

Born in Libby to Harry and Hazel Goyen, he was the oldest of seven children and Dad’s helper from a very young age. After completing the mandatory eighth grade, Earl’s need to be doing something couldn’t be held back any longer and off into the working world he went.

With the early death of his father (1943) and his need to help out his mother and his siblings, his work outside the home became very important. The list of all the jobs he did became longer with each passing year, as well as the stories he would tell about them.

National duty called and Earl served with honor in the Korean War before returning to his wife Shirley (Mills) and they had five children, (Ruth, Ben, Tom, Hazel, Will). Earl started a lifetime career as a mill-worker, starting with J. Neils Lumber, and retiring from Champion Lumber Co. in 1990. He worked many odd jobs during shutdowns, strikes and days off which added to the stories he liked to tell.

He gave credit to his strong faith in God and his savior, Jesus, as well as his lifetime commitment to the Libby Methodist Church for helping him get through a divorce and the tragic death of his son, Benjamin.

He met Lenore Disney working the graveyard shift as a cook at the Ten Pin Café, trying to support her seven children (Lenore, Howard, Harry, Gordon, Gary, Lee, Larry), and it was love at first bite (Lenore was a fabulous cook).

Earl’s huge heart and love for others became more apparent when he married Lenore in Dec. of 1963, and the dinner table held 14 many nights, which usually included her dad (Harry Priester) and Ray Muntz who also became part of the family.

The years were long and the work never ending as they raised the children, and they never turned down a chance to help anyone of them.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his son Benjamin, a grandson Danny Disney, both wives, his brother Dan, his son Tommy and step-son Gordon.

His surviving siblings are Mabel Beebe of Libby, Margaret Neu of Bonners Ferry, Idaho, Eunice Boeve of Phillipsburg, Kan., Larry Goyen of Torrington, Wyo., and June Garetson of Logan, Kan.

The rest of the survivors that this gentle soul touched and that love him dearly would take a special edition of the newspaper just to list, so we’ll include them in the bulletin at the service. Your work is done Earl, go rest high on that mountain.

Earl’s memorial service will be Sept. 14 at 11 a.m., at the Libby United Methodist Church. Arrangements are by Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Home in Libby. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.schnackenbergfh.com.