Wayne Arthur Lubbes

Wayne Arthur Lubbes

July 19th, 1964 – March 24th, 2026

On March 24th, 2026, Wayne Lubbes passed away in the comfort of his home and in the company of family. Wayne had been fighting cancer for over 12 years and had undergone many surgeries, but the cancer finally got him at the age of 61.

Wayne was born in Everett, WA on July 19th, 1964, to Wayne O. Lubbes and Janet K. Lubbes. Wayne grew up in Snohomish, WA through the 8th grade when the family moved to Vernonia, OR, where he graduated high school in 1982.

Wayne met his best friend, Tracy Armstrong, there in Vernonia where they learned exactly how much trouble they could cause before getting caught or into too much trouble. Vernonia is also where he bought his Toyota 4Runner and had it painted with the Ghostbuster symbols. It was quite famous, but because the door handles got in the way of the design, he had them removed, and while this made the 4Runner very cool, it also got him locked out of his vehicle on several occasions, because you had to have the FOB in your hand to open the doors. So, no getting out of the vehicle to lock in the hubs for the 4-wheel drive without the FOB, or you would be standing on the edge of the road with your vehicle running and no way to open the door.

Vernonia is also where he met his wife of 32 years, Sherrie (Ibach) Lubbes, who he married on October 31st, 1994. You will never meet a better matched couple or find a stronger love than Wayne and Sherrie. They were so perfect for each other, and I think they were more in love when Wayne passed away than the day they got married. Wayne and Sherrie stayed in Vernonia for a few years until an opportunity came to buy the Paradise Bar that they couldn’t pass up, so they came to Anaconda, MT, to start a new life as bar owners with their son Nathan Lubbes.

As new business owners they struggled for a couple of years to keep the bar afloat, so Wayne got a 2nd job. He started work at the Montana State Prison as a corrections officer where he met his best friend in Montana, Mike Strutzel. Wayne and Mike took those getting into trouble lines he learned with Tracy and perfected them.

Wayne was also part of a group of people who restarted the annual fireworks show for Anaconda, and over the years, started the winter getaway dart tournament and the Adrian Blom Memorial Run. Wayne coached the little league baseball team for his son Nathan when he was little, and he participated in many charity events and even hosted quite a few at the Paradise Bar.

Throughout his years in Anaconda, Wayne rebuilt a 1955 Ford Pickup that he painted bright green and is also quite famous. Wayne enjoyed decorating cakes for family and friends for birthdays, holidays, and even some pretty fancy weddings. Wayne enjoyed camping with friends every opportunity he got, he liked to go 4-wheeling, played darts and horseshoes, and he loved telling stories. Wayne was a huge Seattle Seahawks fan, and you could always count on a football game at the Paradise Bar on every Sunday during football season along with football activities.

Wayne Lubbes is survived by his wife, Sherrie Lubbes; son, Nathan Lubbes; daughter-in-law, Alicia Lubbes; brother, Wes Lubbes; sister, Leigh Phelps; brother, George Lubbes; along with 6 grandkids including Payton Bownes, better known as P. Lucifer who was the apple of Papa’s eye, P could do no wrong and Papa was very proud to call him grandson, and would tell anyone listening what a great man he was going to grow to be; and 1 great granddaughter.

Wayne will be buried at Mount Olivet Cemetery, 1420 W 5th St in Anaconda, MT. There will be a potluck Celebration of Life held for him at the Paradise Bar starting at 3:30 PM April 2nd, 2026, on the corner of Birch and 4th in Anaconda, MT. Please show up in your favorite Hawaiian shirt in honor of Wayne and bring your favorite picture or story of Wayne. 

Please visit axelsonfuneralhome.com to leave a condolence or a memory of Wayne.