Rose Stahlberg, 88

The online Scrabble players of the world have a bit less competition today with the passing of Rose Elizabeth Stahlberg on Feb. 19, 2025. Born July 26, 1936, in Kalispell, Rose was the oldest of nine children born to Walter and Alice (Bethel) McQueen. 

She is survived by two sisters, Sharon and Eileen, and two brothers, Larry and Robert, and too many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews to mention individually.

When Rose was still young, the family moved to Libby. As the eldest, Rose played a large role in helping to raise her younger brothers and sisters. Her father worked in the mining industry there, and while the local environment was a wonderful playground for the growing family, the effects of asbestos exposure had significant impacts on the long-term health of Rose and her siblings.

Rose graduated from Libby High School in 1954. Following graduation, she found work in a local physician’s office. In September 1956, a young sawyer from Kalispell named Clark, working in the Libby area, managed to injure his expensive new boots, and a large toe, with an errant axe swing; Rose soon found out it was the best axe swing of her lifetime as she met Clark Stahlberg. On Nov. 9, 1957, they were married at the First Presbyterian Church in Kalispell. The day before his passing on Nov. 10, 2017, they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.

The pride of Rose’s life was her husband Clark and their four children, Mike (Carlynn) of Fortine, Yvonne Read of Kalispell, Lisa of St. Louis, and Craig (Julie) of Missoula. A prolific couple … the four kids were born within four years!

The joy of Rose’s life was her 10 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, Matthew Stahlberg; Bryan Stahlberg; Kevin Stahlberg; Erin Read; Katy (Jason) Bergamo, daughters, Daphne and McKenzie, and son, Clark; David (Gale) Van and daughters, Claire and Paige; John (Hillary) Van and daughter, Zoe; Saribeth Lavely; Jacob Stahlberg and Caleb Stahlberg.

Rose managed the household during the years the children were growing up and involved herself in the community as a volunteer, and later, statewide board member for the American Red Cross, where she instilled in her family the importance of donating blood and providing community service. She also volunteered regularly for the election board, helping local residents navigate their way to and through the voting booths.

After years of raising children, Rose embarked on a career with BankWest, in Kalispell. She retired at 70 years old after many years with the bank, where she made many friends among her co-workers and the public customers of the bank. Carefully managing her earnings, she not only enhanced the retirement opportunity for her and Clark but also set aside money to buy him the fishing boat of his dreams. Fishing was one of her great passions, as was camping by a lake where the fishing was good. The pair enjoyed these activities with extended family, particularly Gene and Lila Stahlberg, as well as by themselves. They hunted together frequently, and to both Clark’s chagrin and pride, Rose proved to be the better shot with a .22 when hunting grouse.

Immediate and extended family occupied most of the couple’s life over their years together in Kalispell. Both having come from families of nine children, there were many, many opportunities to spend evenings and weekends with extended family members. As one of the six wives of the Stahlberg brothers, Rose became close friends with her sisters-in-law and their children. Rose also had many friends in the community through the "Loggerettes" and her pinochle groups, where she and Clark made a competitive, and humorous, team to play against.

The opportunity to spend more time with her gardening, fishing and hunting was surpassed only by the time she was able to spend with family and friends, most notably her grandchildren and, later, her great-grandchildren. Whether it was playing with them, doting on them, or providing many meals and snacks … spending time with them was the best time.

Rose’s admirable traits are too numerous to mention, but those coming from the top of mind include, her intelligence and sensibility, her warm embrace, and her drive to be responsible and attentive to her family. She kept an open door, a full coffee pot, and the world’s best buttermilk biscuits for anyone who brightened her doorway.  

Rose was preceded in death by her parents, sister, Dorothy, and brothers, Donald, George and Edward.

A celebration of life will be held from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. on April 5, at Faith Covenant Church, 611 Third Ave. E., Kalispell. 

Donations in her memory may be made to the American Red Cross or the charity of the donor’s choice.