Myrna Eleanor Bybee

Myrna Eleanor Bybee, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and friend succumbed peacefully after a valiant battle with cancer and Alzheimer's disease early in the morning of May 29, 2024. She was born to Ronald (Red) and Henrietta (Toots) Pritzkau on July 26, 1938 in Northwood, North Dakota. She was the oldest of nine children and was preceded in death by her parents and siblings Janice, Kay, John, and Laurie and her eldest son Rodney.

Much of her early life was spent in Thompson Falls where both of her parents worked and four younger siblings were born. She graduated from Thompson Falls High School and shortly thereafter married her high school sweetheart, Joe Bybee. Myrna and Joe had four children early in their marriage keeping them very busy. Joe moved the family to Seattle for five years while both Myrna and Joe worked for a little company called Boeing. They both loved their jobs but decided to move back to Thompson Falls to raise their children in a small town. Joe worked in the timber industry and opened his own small business with Myrna always by his side doing the bookkeeping and keeping their home. During this time, she started playing Bridge and found an aptitude for the game and continued to play often throughout her lifetime. After all of her children graduated from school, she and Joe moved lock, stock, and barrel up to Kalispell, MT where they ran their own logging company. Their three sons learned the craft of logging and made this their chosen career making it a true family business for a time. Tragically, they lost their eldest son, Rodney Bybee by car accident on a trip to a job site one morning over twenty years prior marking the saddest day for both Myrna and Joe. Myrna carried on with life but carried this loss with her to her final resting and now she will be able to see her son again.

Some 20 years or so ago Myrna and Joe started spending winters in Palm Desert, California, and still own a home there today. They enjoyed their desert community and claimed they had the best of both worlds, summers in Montana and winters in California. They developed numerous friendships that have added a fullness to their life while perfecting their golf games. Myrna continued playing Bridge in the desert, also keeping her skills sharp. You could catch her studying the game quite frequently when not playing. Myrna became a Master Bridge player and competed in tournaments in Montana, Canada, and California earning her Grand Master. Myrna was well read and especially loved history. She loved her family to visit and they entertained extended family at their home west of Kalispell, their summer cabin in Trout Creek, and their condo in Palm Desert, California, where many large family gatherings were held.

Myrna is survived by her husband of 67 years, Joe Bybee; son Ron (Barb) Bybee of Missoula; son Roger (Tammy) Bybee of Kalispell; daughter Joanne (Jack) Eggensperger of Butte; sisters Carol Terry of Hillsboro, Oregon, Nancy (Steve) McClintock of Seattle, Peggy Gelber of Oak Park, California, and brother Gary (Judy) of Snohomish, Washington; nine grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and numerous cousins, nephews and nieces.

The family will hold a celebration of life at a time and place to be determined this summer in Montana where she and Joe began their journey together. We hope all those who can attend will be able to do so. Please visit myrna-bybee.forevermissed.com to view and share your thoughts and prayers with family.