Lynn Carol (Bostrom) Hancock

Lynn Carol (Bostrom) Hancock, 78, of Troy, Montana, died Oct. 4, 2024 after a brief illness. 

She was born Sept. 29, 1946, in Shakopee, Minnesota, to Jay N. Bostrom and Esther M. (Haycock) Bostrom.

Lynn wished for a sister but dearly loved her three younger brothers. 

Growing up as the daughter of a Methodist minister, Lynn got used to moving every few years. She first lived in Jordan, Minnesota; then St. Paul, Minnesota; Grand Rapids, Minnesota; and Marshall, Minnesota, where she graduated from high school with honors. 

Lynn earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Westmar College in Le Mars, Iowa. She was committed to the civil rights movement and spent a summer working on voter registration in southern states. Lynn was also greatly influenced by a year spent studying in the Philippines.

After college, Lynn lived mostly in Minneapolis; River Falls, Wisconsin; and Portland, Oregon, where she met John Hancock. For a while Lynn and John lived a nomadic life in their van, staying in one place for a while doing temporary jobs and then moving on. 

Eventually, when John discovered the Yaak he thought that it was a place Lynn would love. She did and they lived there very simply for nearly 40 years, first in a tent and then in a small cabin. They earned some income by picking huckleberries.

Lynn loved her cats, loved to read nonfiction and share what she had learned, and she told detailed accounts of their travels. The only thing she missed about “Civ” was hot showers.

Preceded in death by her parents, by brothers Mark W. Bostrom and Philip L. Bostrom, and husband John Sydney Hancock. 

Survived by her brother David W. Bostrom (Marilyn Johnson) of Minneapolis, sister-in-law Kathy Bostrom, niece Beth Bostrom, nephew Shannon Bostrom, nephew Andrew Bostrom, and numerous other loving relatives, friends and caring neighbors.

There will be no public services. Memorials may be sent to Kootenai Pets for Life.

Arrangements were under the care of Schnackenberg Funeral Home of Libby. Online condolences and memories may be shared by visiting www.schnackenbergfh.com.