W7IBH 1940 Missoula, Montana

YL Operator was Hazel Fern Cook of East Missoula, Montana. She was born Hazel F. Shoestall on July 7, 1894 in Elwood, Nebraska to Joseph & Eliza Shoestall. In June of 1913 she married Alvin R. Cook in Lincoln, Nebraska. In 1935 they moved to East Missoula where they owned and operated the Gateway Cabins, a tourist resort. Alvin was licensed as W7GCN and unfortunately became a Silent Key on December 12, 1939 at age 46. Hazel, possibly as a result of her husbands death, became licensed as W7IBH in March of 1940. After her husbands death she continued to run the cabins and also gave piano lessons and played the organ for several local churches and funeral homes. She was a member of the Hellgate Amateur Radio Club. She became a Silent Key on September 2, 1985 at age 91.

QSL W8JYZ Collection
Photo, Info courtesy of N2BTD
Full name courtesy of W5KNE