Elizabeth Ann (Williamson) Engebretson
The Western News | UPDATED 2 months, 3 weeks AGO
Elizabeth Ann (Williamson) Engebretson, known affectionately as Sibby, passed away on January 7th, 2026. She was born June 20th, 1928, in Hudson, Wisconsin. Sibby was raised and educated in Wisconsin and moved to Montana in 1950 with her husband Carl. They started their family in Ronan and moved to Libby in 1958 where Elizabeth resided for the next 68 years.
Elizabeth was a caring elementary school teacher for hundreds of Libby’s children. She initially taught music and then transitioned to the first and second grade classroom. Her special arrangements and festive spirit made the Elementary School Christmas performances something to look forward to each year. She retired from teaching in 1990.
Elizabeth spent her retirement thriving on her relationships with family and friends. She was always excited to hear the latest news of one of her students, and she was the common thread that connected her family. She was a kind, caring, and broad-minded person who could listen to everyone and appreciate them for who they are. In her later years her eyesight failed, but she did not let that dissuade her. She always had her magnifying glass and iPad within reach to speak with her granddaughters or search for a piece of information to keep her informed. She was bright and had her sense of humor right up to the moment she knew it was her time to be with the Lord. Elizabeth was a member of the Libby United Methodist Church. She will be greatly missed.
Elizabeth is survived by sons James Engebretson and David Engebretson and daughter-in-law Ivy Sun, and daughter Beth Byrns and son-in-law Dean Byrns.
She was preceded in death by her son Robert and his spouse Virginia, and daughter-in-law from James, Barbara Benn Engebretson, her sister Jean Gander and brother Malcolm Williamson. Elizabeth’s shining lights were her 6 granddaughters Betsy, Anna, Karen, Liz, Julia, and Emily, and two great granddaughters Amelia and Addalee.
Services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, January 16, 2026, at Schnackenberg and Riddle Funeral Home Chapel in Libby, MT. Arrangements are under the care of Schnackenberg and Riddle Funeral Home of Libby. Online condolences and memories may be shared by visiting www.schnackenbergfh.com.