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Obituary

Alda Allen

ST. IGNATIUS — Alda Doris Shear Johns Liebelt Allen was born to Charles Ernest Shear and Dortha Alda Hutchinson Shear on the family farm in Baker, Montana, on Nov. 28, 1916. Alda was the third child of seven.

At the age of three, Alda and her family moved to Denver, Colorado, where she attended grade school and high school, leaving school in her senior year. She then joined the CCC’s to help wrap bandages and knitted scarves and mittens for the service men and women.

In 1937 in Denver, she met and married Edward Johns. To this union the couple welcomed Helen (Beth), Robert (Bob), and Dolly.

After ten years in Colorado, the family moved to north Idaho, first living in Sandpoint, then to Priest River where the family lived until 1959, and then moved back to Sandpoint. Mr. Johns passed in February of 1961. Alda then found work at the University in Moscow, Idaho, and later at Washington State University in Pullman. An injury took her out of the work force for three years. After this time she attended the Modern School of Business, graduating with an AA degree in business.

After graduating, Alda married a longtime friend, Fred Liebelt. They had nearly 15 years together. Upon Fred’s death, Alda returned back to work, working for the United States Forest Service and The Bureau of Land Management from which she retired. After 20 years of retirement, she met and married Edgar Allen of St. Ignatius. Alda remained in St. Ignatius after the passing of Ed Allen.

In November of 2016, Alda celebrated her 100th birthday. In November 2017 she repeated the occasion to celebrate 101st birthday. Due to failing health she moved to the Retreat of Polson, then was transferred to Mountain View Care Center in Ronan and was moved to St. Luke Community Hospital where she passed away just 13 days shy of her 102nd birthday. Alda was preceded in death by her parents; brothers and sisters; her husbands; two grandchildren and a great-grandchild.

Alda is survived by her daughter, Helen (Beth) Tarbert (Earnest); her son, Robert Johns (Carol), 12 grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Private family services will be held next summer.

Memories and condolences may be sent to the family at: www.thelakefuneralhomeandcrematory.com. In lieu of flowers the family would prefer gifts to the donor’s choice in her memory.

Arrangements are under the direction of The Lake Funeral Home and Crematory.

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