Harriet Wilson

Harriet Trippet Wilson, 93, a former Flathead Valley resident, died July 8, 2007, at the Libby Care Center.

A native of Whitefish, Harriet was born there on Dec. 2, 1913, to Will Trippet and Florence Atwater Trippet and was raised and educated there, graduating from Whitefish High School in 1932.

She attended Eastern Washington University, receiving a bachelor's in education. She returned to Northwest Montana, teaching school in the Lost Prairie/Pleasant Valley area.

She married Robert Wilson on June 14, 1936, in Spokane. Harriet and Bob had resided throughout Montana and in Seattle before coming to Libby in 1950, where they made their home and raised their family. Her husband preceded her in death in November 1971.

Harriet returned to Eastern Washington University, receiving a degree in library science in 1973. She worked in the Libby Public School System, teaching in the remedial reading program at the Libby Middle School, as well as serving as librarian at Central Schools. A lifelong Girl Scout and Girl Scout leader, Harriet was honored last year by the Girl Scouts as one of its longest standing members.

Harriet was known locally for her expertise in spinning and dying wool. She was a frequent craft demonstrator of the spinning wheel at Heritage Museum and was a long-standing member of the Thursday Evening Craft Group.

Harriet also served as a Sunday school teacher for many years while a member of the Methodist Church. Prior to the advent of Libby Dam, she and her husband Bob also pastored a church at Jennings.

Harriet remained an active member of the Libby Assembly of God Church and also was a member of Women's Aglow Fellowship. She also was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma and remained an avid reader, particularly of Montana history and non-fiction works.

She is survived by her children, Carol Wilson Cady and husband Bill, of Libby, and John Wilson and wife Trish, of Cordova, Alaska; grandchildren Amy Lynn Siefke, John Baenen, Kristi Wilson, Robin Kacsh, Mike Wilson and Shawn Stimson; and 12 great grandchildren.

Services will take place Thursday, July 12 (today) at 11 a.m. at the Assembly of God Church in Libby with Pastor Kevin Lindgren officiating. Interment will follow at the City of Libby Cemetery.