Libbey Evelyn (Henry) Wheeler, 96, passed away peacefully surrounded by the love of her family on Friday, Jan. 13, 2023, in Minot, N.D.

Libbey was born on Feb. 24, 1926, in the Rolette Community Hospital to Fred and Malvina (Patidnaude) Henry. She was the second of five children.

At age 16, Libbey and her family moved from a one-bedroom farmhouse in Shell Valley to the Jolibois family homestead outside of Rolette, N.D. The farmhouse, built from two granaries attached to each other, had been passed down through the family since the late 1800s. Libbey inherited the farm after her father's death in 1952, residing there for the next 61 years.

Libbey attended Shell Valley School through her sophomore year, where she traveled by a wooden school bus on sleighs pulled by a team of horses in winter. During her last two years of high school, she attended Notre Dame Academy, a Catholic boarding school in Willow City, N.D. She graduated in 1944 with top honors as salutatorian of her class, then joined the World War II U.S. Cadet Nursing Corps and attended St. Joseph's School of Nursing in Minot, N.D.

While in nursing school, Libbey became reacquainted with Lorne Ray Wheeler, whom she had met as a teen while attending dances with her cousin Bozo. In her memoirs, Libbey wrote that Lorne was the most handsome man she had ever met. The two dated for 10 months, marrying on July 14, 1947, at St. Michael's Catholic Rectory in Thorne, N.D. For several years they moved around the state, finding work where they could, eventually making their way back to the family farm. There they raised their nine children and created a welcoming home for many family celebrations in the decades to come. Following Lorne's death in 2009, she sold the family homestead and moved into an apartment at Haaland Estates in Rugby, N.D., in 2013, residing there for the rest of her years.

Libbey was a devout Catholic and had an incredible work ethic, always insisting that keeping busy was how she stayed in good health. As a young girl, she worked alongside her mother in a cook car following her father's threshing machine fixing meals for the crew. As a teenager, she often helped her father with field work – riding the binder, shocking grain, and driving a Model T Ford gathering corn from the fields for cattle. After graduating from nursing school, Libbey worked on and off as a nurse while raising nine children and managing the farm with her husband.

Libbey was an incredible quilter and baker, skills she learned from her mother. She enjoyed making quilts for the significant events in her family's lives – from births to graduations, weddings, holidays, and more. She also ensured her kitchen was always stocked with homemade caramel rolls, cookies, freshly baked bread, jams, jellies, and other treats for everyone to enjoy.

Her family will miss her fast wit and humor as much as they miss her love and generosity. Libbey is survived by her children Alan (Mary), Winona, M.N., Karen (Monte) Kelly, Fargo, N.D., Denice (Richard) Casavant, Rolette, N.D., Deborah Casavant, Wing, N.D., Kevin (Marilyn), Minot, N.D., and Joel (Judy), Devils Lake, N.D.; as well as 29 grandchildren, 62 great-grandchildren, and six great-great-grandchildren; and son-in-law, Aime Casavant. She was preceded in death by her husband Lorne; son Larry; daughter Barbara and son-in-law Larry Luebke; daughter Brenda Casavant; grandson Jason Wheeler; parents Fred and Malvina (Patidnaude) Henry; and her siblings Clifford, Emery, Violet, and Bernice.

A visitation will begin at 5:00 PM on Friday, January 20, 2023 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Rolette, ND with a Rosary Service at 7:00 PM.  A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, January 21, 2023 at 11:00 AM at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Rolette, ND.  A meal will follow funeral services at the Memorial Hall, Rolette, ND.  She will be laid to rest next to her husband in the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery, Rolette, ND in the spring.

Elick Funeral Home, Rolla, ND.