Joan F. Croucher, 76, retired administrator of the Libby Care Center, died Wednesday in Kalispell.

She was born Sept. 6, 1929, at Muncie, Ind., to Benjamin Applegate and Edith Kern Applegate. She came with her family to Libby in 1941 and later graduated from Libby High School in 1946.

That same year, she married Francis "Frank" Croucher.

With a young family in tow, they followed Frank's early career into logging camps and farming where work led them, settling permanently in Lincoln County in 1957. Their home on old Highway 37 between Libby and old Rexford is remembered by many as a favorite stop; Joan was known as a dedicated wife and homemaker who contributed tirelessly to the many aspects of their rural farm home.

They moved to Troy in 1969 and, in 1970, Joan began working outside the home at the newly constructed Libby Care Center as a cook, marking the beginning of a long career with that institution. She later worked in the institution's administrative department, eventually leading to her advancement to chief administrator, a position she served in with pride and diligence until her retirement in 2000.

She had been a longtime member of the Libby Christian Church and Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank, in 2004; a son, Steve Croucher; brothers, Ed and Paul Applegate; and sister, Teola Hazen.

Survivors include her children, Ed Croucher and wife, Chris, and Charlie Croucher and wife, Lois, all of Libby, Bob Croucher and wife, Cheri, and Lana Managhan and husband, Gary, all of Troy, Bret Croucher and wife, Becky, of Libby, and Brenda Croucher of Missoula; sisters and brothers, Mary Johnson of Libby, Joseph Applegate of Albany, Ga., Phyllis Hansberry of Eureka, Duane "Bud" Applegate of Libby, and Linda Arnold of Plains; 22 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.

Services will be Monday at 11 a.m. at the Libby Christian Church; interment services will be afterward at the city of Libby Cemetery. Friends may call from 1 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Nelson and Vial Funeral Home.

"Mom and Grandma will always remain cherished in our hearts; a woman dedicated to her family, bound with unconditional love who inspired us with her strength and touched us with her faith."