Forty years sees many changes in leadership and other facets of an organization, but for the Kootenai Valley Quilt Guild a few basic tenets  have allowed for not only its existence, but for it to thrive.

The guild is celebrating 40 years in 2025. Part of that celebration included a display of more than 120 quilts made by guild members last weekend at the Memorial Events Center in Libby.

Hundreds of quilt aficionados browsed the eye opening displays while catching up with friends and acquaintances, some of whom they hadn’t seen in many years. Part of the display was a special display of ruby-colored quilts, allowing to the 40th milestone because it is associated with the ruby gemstone and the color red, symbolizing enduring love, passion and strength that has grown and thrived over four decades.  

“I think a big part of what has allowed the guild to thrive is our members are very good at sharing information and new techniques,” guild Quilter of the Year Kriss Jeresek said.

It also doesn’t hurt that the guild makes quilts for many, many members of communities in south Lincoln County.

“We do quilts for babies, those battling cancer, our veterans, people who have suffered loss because of fires. We also began the Sew Camp after the school eliminated the home economics program,” Jeresek said. “We’re always looking at what we can do to give back to our community.”

Jeresek herself battled cancer in the past and she fondly recalls getting a blanket while getting chemotherapy treatment. 

The guild does currently provide quilts for the Cabinet Peaks Infusion Center.

Jeresek’s mother was a seamstress and tailor and she followed in her foot steps. 

“My mother was phenomenal,” Jeresek said. “I sewed clothes mostly for need in high school. I sewed all my college clothes and then I sewed for a boutique.”

After she married and had children, she sewed at home to help bring in extra money. Her grandmother was a quilter and for Jeresek, entering the realm was a natural progression.

“My grandmother sewed out of need, living in Minnesota, you needed all you could to stay warm during the long winters,” she said.

She explained that the guild was first labeled Libby Quilters. After some folks from Troy joined, the name was changed to Kootenai Valley Quilters. When the formation of guilds became popular, the locals changed it to Kootenai Valley Quilt Guild.

Peggy Schultz, like Jeresek, is one of the founding members.

“My mom and I decided to take a quilting class at the (Flathead Valley) Community College and Gela Koehler taught it,” Schultz said. “Quilting had exploded in popularity. I was pregnant with my first child and I started quilting. A neighbor, Jamie Grant, and I eventually opened a quilting store together, which we ran for seven years. After she left, I had two more kids so I decided when the guild got going, it was enough for me.

“Some of our members went to quilt markets in different places and they always brought back lots of ideas,” Schultz said. Naming our group a guild was one of them. Definitely, our longevity is in large part due to the education we sought as well as gathering and sharing new and good ideas.”

Schultz said the guild’s quilt show was part of the now-defunct Nordicfest. 

“It was disheartening when it went away, and then we had to leave Asa Wood (after its sale), but having the show in the Memorial Center has allowed us to display more than twice the quilts, so that worked well,” Schultz said. “Also, Quilts of Valor has generated a lot of interest and I’m still pleasantly surprised at how many men come to the show to see our work.”

For Kayley Barton, owner of the Quilt Cottage, quilting is very serious endeavor.

“When we go camping, we have a generator so I can run sewing machine while we’re out,” Barton said. “It’s a very relaxing experience.”

Those who are interested in supporting the quilt guild may send checks to Kootenai Valley Quilt Guild, c/o 907 Mineral Ave., Libby, MT 59923.

The winner of the 2025 raffle quilt was Nancy Chalgren. 

Jill Petrusha, this year's quilt show chairperson, announced the winners of the quilting contest that was held during the show.

“Congratulations to all the winners for a wonderful job,” Petrusha said. “Your quilts are absolutely beautiful.”

100 category (Art, Embroidery, Collage, Wool)

First place: Janell Stegman, quilt name - Persistence

Second place: Glenna Schaible, quilt name - Sunflower Cottage

Third place: Jill Petrusha, quilt name - Song Bird

200 category (Pieced / Appliqué 46 inches and smaller)

First place: Maria Brown, quilt name - Saltwater Sassy 

Second place: Shirley Bender, quilt name - Flowers through the Years

Third place: Jan Ivers, quilt name -  Farm Animals

300 category (Pieced / Appliqué 46-75”)

First place: Glenna Schaible, quilt name -  White Buffalo 

Second place: Maria Brown, quilt name -  Diamonds Galore

Third place: Barb Hoeltzel, quilt name - Piece and Plenty

400 category (Panel Quilts)

First place: Glenna Schaible, quilt name - Big Dream 

Second place: Mary Lou Goodpaster, quilt name - Quilt of Valor

Third place:  Kayley Barton, quilt name - Vintage Sewing Machine

700 category (Pieced / Appliqué 66” and larger)

First place: Mary Lou Goodplaster quilt name - A Ribbon Runs Through It

Second place: Jill Petrusha, quilt name -  Dragon & Fruit

Third place: Glenna Schaible, quilt name - Radiance

Guild Member Choice

First place: Mary Lou Goodpaster, quilt name - A Ribbon Runs Through It

Second place: Jill Petrusha, quilt name -  Dragon & Fruit

Third place: Glenna Schaible, quilt name - Radiance