Shelly Wittwer, 57

Shelly Wittwer (Long, Rode) passed away at home to be with her Heavenly Father on March 29, 2020. She was 57.

Shelly was born Nov. 6, 1963, to George and Jayne Long. She was the middle child to her older sister, Shayla (Long) Neubauer, and her younger brother, Tony Long. She helped to welcome their baby sister, Sharla Dauphine, into this world when she was 14.

Shelly attended most of her high school years in Libby. She was a 1982 graduate.

Shelly and Jim Rode welcomed their first child, Cammi Rode, in 1982 and then married in 1984. They then had their second child, Jimmer Rode, in 1985. In 1989, Jim and Shelly bought land out in the Farm to Market Road area, where they raised their two children and then had their second son, Andrew Rode, in 1994.

Shelly remarried years later.

She worked many jobs before taking a position at the Libby Care Center, first in laundry but eventually becoming the head of housekeeping. She worked for the center for 13 years and then move on to work independently in house and commercial cleaning. She was a valued employee and took pride in her work.

Mom loved to sew, read and write. You often would find her gardening outside or working inside, preparing a home cooked meal. She was talented in many ways and was feisty, strong and independent. She loved conversation and had a passion for helping people through their struggles and addictions.

If you knew Shelly, you knew she was not afraid to voice her opinions, but she was very open to others. Anything was up for debate.

There are so many things she said she wanted to do before leaving this world. Fortunately, God has a lot planned for her up there and I’m sure she is doing more than she ever expected.

She absolutely loved her children and adored her granddaughters. She valued every moment spent with her loved ones. She will “totally” be missed. Rest in peace, Mom.

Shelly was preceded in death by her late husband, Rusty Wittwer; her son,

James “Jimmer” Rode; and her mother, Jayne Dauphine.

Survivors include her daughter, Cammi Navarro; son, Andrew Rode; and granddaughters, Breeanna Runyan, Ember Rode and Aleah Evans.

Funeral arrangements will be made in the near future once restrictions are lifted and will be posted.