Marilyn Claire Collum, 84

Marilyn Claire Collum, 84, of Libby, passed away on Sunday, June 14, 2015, at Mountain View Manor in Eureka. 

She was born Sept. 13, 1930, in Great Falls to Arthur and Belle Boettcher. She grew up in the Square Butte area. Marilyn received her education at a rural school there and graduated from Geraldine High School in 1949. She got her Bachelor of Arts degree in education at Western Montana College in Dillon. She was a member of the Kappa Zeta Nu Sorority while attending college. 

She became a member of the Lambda chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Society while teaching. She was a teacher for 30.6 years; she taught at the Eureka Elementary School, the Iowa Flats School, the Rexford School and the Glen Lake School.  

On Nov. 1, 1952, Marilyn married Robert Byers and they resided in Rexford until the Libby Dam was constructed and they moved to Eureka. They were in the Christmas tree and cattle business. They moved to Libby later on, where Robert passed away in 1998. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Robert, a brother Vernon, and a son Robbie.

Marilyn loved life and people and will remember her laugh and smile. She’ll be remembered as an avid gardener and for her lovely flowers she grew. Many of her friends called her the “Dahlia lady.” Her efforts and her love for cooking, raising beautiful flowers and doing watercolors and oil paintings earned her the honor of being “Our Fair Lady” at the Lincoln County Fair in Eureka two different times. She also loved fishing and playing cards. She enjoyed dancing and bowling and was a member of a bowling league in Eureka for several years.  Marilyn loved to dress up and will be remembered as making all her colors in her wardrobe match. She enjoyed all music which inspired her so much, especially Western tunes.  

She cherished her family so much, and she’ll be remembered for her generosity, her love of family and will be missed by all.

Survivors include her daughter, Ella Jean Sanders, and Art, of Fortine; siblings, Dolores Schumacker and Joanne Dors, both of Great Falls; her beloved grandsons she was so proud of, Travis Sanders and Rochelle and their children Darya and Dylan of Eureka, Luke Sanders of Kalispell, and Justin Sanders of Fortine.

Marilyn wished to be cremated with no funeral services. Memorials may be made to a charity of the giver’s choice in Marilyn’s name. 

Arrangements are by Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Home in Libby. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.schnackenbergfh.com.