Alda Liebelt-Allen

Alda Doris Shear Johns Liebelt Allen, born to the parents of Charles Ernest Shear and Dortha Alda Hutchinson Shear on the family farm at Baker, MT on November 28, 1916. Alda was the third child of seven.

At the age of three the 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 moved to Priest River where the family lived till 1959 moving back to Sandpoint. Mr. Johns passed in Feb 1961. Alda then found work at the University in Moscow, Idaho and later gaining work 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 form which she retired. After 20 years of retirement, she met and married Edgar Allen of St. Ignatius, MT. 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 and her husbands, two grandchildren and a great-grandchild.

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

Private family services will be held next summer.