Lysbeth "Lynn" Hughes Ophus died of natural causes on March 19 at the South Hill Rockwood Retirement Community in Spokane, Washington. A memorial service will take place at a later date. Memorial donations can be made to the Van Orsdel United Methodist Church, PO Bos 606, Havre, MT 59501 or or the MSU-Northern Foundation (Lynn Ophus Endowed Scholarship), PO Box 1691 Havre, MT 59501.
She was born February 5, 1932, in Scobey, Montana. Her parents were Frank Jr. and Doris Hughes. She attended Scobey schools and graduated from Scobey High School.
Lynn attended the University of Montana and graduated with a degree in education. She began her teaching career in Big Sandy where she met her future husband, Myron "Whitey" Ophus Sr. She taught for one year in Shelby then moved to Havre where she began a career teaching at Northern Montana College (later Montana State University – Northern). Throughout a 27-year career at Northern she taught primarily health and physical education classes. Her students affectionately referred to her as Mrs. O. She coached the women's basketball team for a year or two prior to it becoming an official sport. She was a recipient of the coveted Golden N award. An award chosen by students.
On his 30th birthday (October 1) in 1957, Lynn married Whitey in Scobey. About 2 years later, their first son, Myron Jr. was born. Another two years passed, and they welcomed their second son Byron.
Lynn was active in several community organizations including Eastern Star, American Cancer Society and especially the Van Orsdel United Methodist Church. She loved genealogy and spent a great deal of time documenting the Ophus family and its history.
Lynn retired from teaching full-time in 1988 and started spending winters in Phoenix, Arizona. Whitey passed away in 2000. After his passing, Lynn bought a home in Yuma and spent winters there. Several years after Whitey's passing Lynn and Sherm Ekness became friends. They enjoyed wintering in Arizona and traveling throughout the United States and the World. They rarely missed events if a grandchild was participating.
In 2020 Lynn moved to the Rockwood Retirement Community in Spokane, Washington, near her oldest son.
Lynn was preceded in death by her husband, her parents and brother Don. She is survived by her brother JD Hughes of Whitefish, MT, children Myron (Lori) of Spokane WA, Byron (Lisa) of Havre and grandson Brady of Charlotte, NC.
