Richard Friedrich Schrade
The Western News | UPDATED 1 week, 4 days AGO
Richard Friedrich Schrade passed away peacefully at home on Dec. 29, 2025.
He was born May 16, 1941, in Kalispell to David and Pauline Schrade, immigrants from Germany. He attended school in Somers and Libby and graduated from high school in 1959.
Richard worked at Millers Clothing and loaded boxcars at Rainbow Lumber in Troy at night. He later went to work at J. Neils and Champion for 27 years. One of his greatest feats was hauling the largest load of logs ever to come into the mill. His legend will live forever. When the woods department shut down, he started his own company, Schrade Contracting, in 1985. He was a dealer and wheeler and all he needed was their word and a handshake.
Richard volunteered on the Libby Rural Fire Board for 25 years. He was on the board for the Kootenai Federal Credit Union for a number of years. He also enjoyed coaching Little League for many years.
Richard loved the great outdoors and going hiking, hunting and fishing. He especially liked ice fishing and you could always find him on Loon Lake. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Irene Bekker; and son, Rod Gilbert.
Richard is survived by his wife Karla; sons Rich (Becky) of Marion, Montana and Jerry (Marlene) Gilbert of Billings, Montana; daughters Anna Hoxie of Sedro Wooley, Washington and Amy (Ed) Krause of Conrad, Montana; niece Kerri Bekker of Great Falls, Montana; nephews Brian and David Bekker of Havre, Montana; grandchildren Ashlynn, Connor, Jessica, Kyle, Tyler, Jalynn; adopted grandchildren Natasha, Teiya, Chris and Alyissa; many nieces and nephews and greats; and special friends Danny Torgison and Curt Jones.
No services are planned. His family suggests any donations be made to the Libby Volunteer Ambulance or Libby Fire Department.
Arrangements are under the care of Schnackenberg Funeral Home of Libby. Online condolences and memories may be shared by visiting www.schnackenbergfh.com.