Elmer Fauske

Elmer Allen "Spick" Fauske, who became ill in 2007 and went to the Montana Veterans Home, where he enjoyed teasing the staff of angels, left us with a shower of fireworks on July 4, 2009.

He was born July 26, 1924, to Peter and Cecelia Fauske in Tokio, N.D. Along with an older brother Robert and sister Luella, the Fauskes moved to Whitefish when Spick was 14 months old. The family added two more children after moving to Whitefish, Jessie and Peter. He went to the Lakeside School until he was 15 years old.

During the Depression, when Spick was young, he cut wood with his father which would be traded to Markus Grocery for food. He also herded cattle and delivered coal. At 16, he went to work for the Great Northern Railroad in the round house. In July 1943, he joined the Army, trained in Camp Colin, Calif., and landed in Bon, Germany, as an anti-aircraft rifleman and machine gunner in the infantry.

After returning home in 1946, Spick went back to work for Great Northern Railroad with the welding crew, then at the B & B. While working on a gang, he became the luckiest man on the face of the earth when he met Loretta Hudson at Pinnacle, near Essex. They were married July 21, 1951, and lived in Whitefish.

Spick then went to work for Western Fruit Co. They had their first two children, Diana and Rodney, then he transferred to Klamath Falls, Ore., for three years, where Janice was born.

They moved back to Whitefish, and Spick went back to work for the Great Northern Railroad in 1959 in the yard office, checking cars. This is when their fourth child, Susan, was born.

In 1964, Spick went to work for Bitney's Furniture, where he delivered furniture. After about seven years, he and Loretta started Spick's Cleaning Service. He worked cleaning until his retirement in 2006.

Spick lived in the lap of luxury. His wealth was not monetary. It was the wealth of love he had for his family, friends and acquaintances. He loved people, and he proved that everyday by helping, comforting and serving them. No matter who you were, Spick always had a kind word to say to you, always inviting you to his home or his second home, "The Lake."

Spick was a member and a volunteer at the Golden Agers, where he cheerfully delivered meals on wheels to the "old people" (most of them younger than he). He was also a member of the Moose Lodge and VFW.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Robert, sister Luella Lemon and grandsons Chad and Bo Motichka.

Spick is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Loretta; son Rod Fauske and wife Donna, of Columbia Falls; daughters Dee Motichka and husband Carl, of Columbia Falls, Jan Judd and husband Ron, of Olympia, Wash., and Sue Anderson, of Columbia Falls; 10 grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; brother Peter Fauske and wife Ardella, of Columbia Falls; sister Jessie Fauske, of Whitefish; and many nieces and nephews.

Memorial services will be held at Christ Lutheran Church on Saturday, July 18, at 11 a.m., with Pastor John Bent officiating.

A reception will follow at the Golden Agers in Whitefish.

The family suggests that memorials be made to the Montana Veterans Home.

Lorraine LeBlanc

Lorraine LeBlanc, 80, of Spokane Valley, Wash., "began rejoicing in heaven" July 6, 2009.

She was born in Whitefish on Jan. 25, 1929, to Henry and Bonita DeVall. Lorraine graduated from Whitefish High School and later received a degree in cosmetology in Spokane.

She married Robert LeBlanc on May 14, 1949, and found much joy, recently celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary.

It was Lorraine's life-long desire to reflect Christ upon this earth by loving and serving friends, family and strangers.

She is survived by her husband, Robert LeBlanc, of Spokane Valley; three children, Shelley Mower and husband Bruce, of Kalispell, Robyn Hall and husband Terry, of Hermiston, Ore., and Bob LeBlanc and wife Jackie, of Fortine; eight grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren; and one great great grandson.

A celebration of Lorraine's life will be held in St. Mary's Parish in Spokane Valley on Saturday, July 18, at 2 p.m.

The family suggests any memorials in honor of Lorraine be made to the Salvation Army or Hospice.