Louise Smith Wellington LaBrie

Louise Smith Wellington LaBrie, 95, of Whitefish, passed away on Mother’s Day, May 12, at Whitefish Care and Rehabilitation Center.

Louise was born on Dec. 18, 1917 to Pearl Geeslin Smith and Roger Smith in Whitefish at their Karrow Avenue family residence. Louise, along with her younger sisters, Lucille, Jane, and brothers, Bob and Harry, were raised on the Karrow Avenue family farm. Louise often shared many stories of the walks from the family farm to school during her youth.

She graduated Whitefish High School. She married Marion “Duke” Wellington in 1935. Louise’s son, Gerald “Jerry” was born in 1936, and her youngest son, Gary “Buddy” was born in 1937. In 1951 Buddy was diagnosed with Leukemia and within weeks passed away at 14 years of age. Louise also had a daughter, Wellington, who passed away shortly after birth.

In 1940, Louise and Duke went to work for Art and Evelyn La Brie at Art’s Café in Whitefish. Louise was hired as a waitress while Duke was Art’s butcher. She also worked for Dr. Leon Reed, who owned and operated Reed’s Jewelry Store.

Shortly after this time, Louise and Duke briefly moved to Florida so Duke could complete his refrigeration and air conditioning education. Louise and Duke operated Glacier Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, servicing greater northwest Montana for many years until Duke’s death in 1980, at which time Jerry took over ownership until his passing.

During these years, Louise was offered bookkeeping position at Haines Drug by Bob Haines and Frank Lindlief. She accepted the job on a temporary basis and then stayed there for more than 50 years, retiring as Haines Drug’s longest active employee.

Following the deaths of Duke, and later Evelyn La Brie in 1983, Louise and Art were married in 1984. Louise and Art had a wonderful 20 years together before Art’s passing. Louise often described her time with Art as the “golden years.”

They purchased a Class A motor home and made two trips to the east coast, one trip to Alaska, and many hunting trips to eastern Montana.

They enjoyed trips to Glendale, Calif., to visit Bill’s family and to attend the Rose Bowl Parades, and trips to Phoenix to visit Len La Brie. Many of their trips included the company of close friends Ted and Connie Lund, whose adventures would rival any “buddy or road trip” movie made.

During these years with Art, Louise served thousands of gallons of coffee during the morning “coffee klatch” as Louise and Art used this time to catch up with family and friends — old and new. It was always noisy and entertaining. Many new and lasting friendships were initiated and developed over the years in the La Brie home over coffee. Complete strangers soon became lasting friends.

Louise was involved in numerous civic organizations over the years. She was a lifetime member of the Soroptimists, being elected and serving as their president and serving for over 30 years as their treasurer. She enjoyed her involvement with the Soroptimists, and strongly believed in empowering and helping women and girls live their dreams. She developed many lifelong friendships during her membership.

She was also treasurer for the North Valley Food Bank. She was a member of the Ladies of the Moose and was elected in 1994 by the Beta Sigma Phi as the “First Lady of Whitefish.”

Louise’s most treasured and cherished possessions were her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She is survived by grandchildren, Kevin, Jane Ann, Curt, Ramona, Ryan, Cory, great-grandchildren, Ali, Jordan, Shelby, Zachery, Aden, and Ethan on the Wellington side, and grandchildren, Michelle, Brian, and great-grandchildren, Cameron and Jacob on the La Brie side.

She always eagerly waited for their visits to Whitefish every year. Her final visit was that of her newest great-grandson Ethan Wellington, and was probably her most cherished. She continued to battle her declining health to await his arrival.

Three weeks before Louise left us; Alice La Brie went to the Whitefish Care facility to visit Louise. She was stopped at the nurses’ station and was told jokingly by the nurse that there was a man in bed with Louise. Alice walked into the room, and lying in bed with Louise was her two-month-old great-grandson Ethan, who made a surprise visit from Oregon. He was cradled in Louise’s arms as she was beaming with a smile from ear to ear.

Louise was beloved by all and had a unique relationship with each family member. Her love, generosity and genuine sense of humor will be dearly missed.

Louise was preceded in death by her first husband, “Duke” Wellington; sons, Gerald and Gary; daughter, Wellington; brothers, Bob and Harry; sister, Lucille; and her second husband, Art La Brie.

Louise is survived by her younger sister, Jane Barnes, of Columbia Falls; her step--sons Bill and Alice La Brie, of Whitefish, and Len and Patty La Brie, of Phoenix; daughter-in-law, Roberta Wellington, and her husband, Mike Spint, of Whitefish; and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will take place at Christ Lutheran Church, 5150 River lakes Parkway in Whitefish on Saturday, June 15 at 11 a.m. Interment will follow immediately after at Glacier Memorial Gardens, 2659 Highway 93 North in Kalispell.

Arrangements entrusted to Austin Funeral Home.