MARIAN RUTH (VAN DUYNE) DUNAHEE Obituary (1930

Marian R Van Duyne Dunahee, 85, passed away on Monday, July 20, 2015 at her home in Libby. She was born Easter Sunday, April 20, 1930 on the Flatiron Corner in Wilmington, IL to Herman J and Mary Catherine (Quiring) Van Duyne. She was raised on the Kankakee River where her father farmed and operated a gasoline bulk plant. They moved to Pontiac, IL in the early 1940's where her Father continued to farm on 160 acres. She graduated from Pontiac High School in 1948 and worked for Triple A Farmer's Assoc. from 1948-1951. She married Elmer L Dunahee on March 28, 1951 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Pontiac. They had two children and farmed near Graymont, IL until moving to Hemet, CA in the spring of 1961 to be closer to Marian's family. Elmer owned and operated a lawn mower sales and service business for 2 years before taking a position with the City of Hemet where he worked until 1981 when they decided to retire and move to Montana. Marian was employed by Nelson Machinery (International Harvester) for 14 years when they retired. Together they built a home in the mountains on 20 acres on the scenic Bull River near Noxon, MT. In 1994, after Elmer's passing, she moved to Libby to be closer to her daughter and grandson. She was a lifelong horse lover and raised and showed Appaloosa Horses for 40 years. Her last horse was her beloved Poco who died in 2004. She rode him on 8 Chief Joseph Trail Rides from Joseph, OR to Chinook, MT. They also rode the Sentinal Ride in 1989. She loved to square dance and was a member of the Fabulous Valley Club in Noxon and the Spinning Squares in Libby. She also enjoyed country western dancing. She said her children were here greatest accomplishment in her life. She was preceded in death by her husband in July, 1993 and her son, Mark L Dunahee in June, 2013. Survivors include her Daughter, Kathleen R French of Kalispell, MT; 3 Grandchildren, Joshua Flack of Libby; Kurt Dunahee of Riverside, CA; and Valerie Dunahee, of Banning, CA; and 5 Great Grandsons. Mass of the Resurrection will be at 11:00 AM on Friday, August 7th, 2015 at St Joseph's Catholic Church in Libby with a luncheon following. Arrangements are by Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Home in Libby. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.schnackenbergfh.com.