Loretta Irene Fauske, 89

Heaven welcomed another earth angel, Loretta Irene Fauske, to her forever home Dec. 8, 2022.

Loretta Irene Hudson was born to Charles (Ted) and Hazel Hudson on Sept. 26, 1933, in Kevin, Montana where Ted was working at the Texaco company. Born at just 4.5 pounds, Loretta’s first bed was the bottom drawer of the family’s dresser. She joined her brother, Larry, and later with Leota (Dutchie), the family was complete.

The Hudsons moved to Pinnacle, Montana (Essex area) where Ted worked on the railroad and owned a bar with cabins that were frequented by railroad workers in the area.

Loretta first attended the little schoolhouse in Essex, Montana and later transferred to Columbia Falls High School where she graduated in 1951.

She met Elmer (Spick) Fauske while he was working on the railroad (all the live long day). The two fell in love and were married on July 21, 1951. The couple then moved to Whitefish, Montana. While Spick worked in the local Whitefish Icehouse, Loretta worked on filling their house with children. The added blessings of Diana (Dee), Rodney (Rod), Janice (Jan) and Susan (Sue) built a strong and loving family.

In the 1970s, Spick’s Cleaning Service was created. The company worked in offices, homes, clinics, bars and later it lent its services by “cleaning up” the City of Whitefish with a Super Vac (literally). The business partners and couple were successful in life and rich in love.

Elmer (Spick) and Loretta filled their weekends by playing cards with friends, bowling, cross-country skiing, and staying at their second home at Beaver Lake. The couple was notorious for welcoming new friends to their lake cabin retreat. Loretta enjoyed a fulfilling assignment in reporting the current Loon population on Beaver Lake to the local Fish and Game. She enjoyed canoeing the lake and shoreline by counting the adult Loons, finding the nests and counting the eggs, and later concluding her report with the final Loonlet count as they hatched and swam with their parents.

Loretta was a member of the Christ Lutheran Church and later Spick joined her in baptism. Every night before going to bed, Loretta read the Daily Prayer book and the Bible to Spick. She loved it when visitors could join her in this tradition which meant so much to her.

Loretta enjoyed giving back to her community by donating to Shepherd’s Hands and by knitting little caps for new babies at the North Valley Hospital. The couple also donated their time at the Golden Agers, a local organization that specialized in senior needs by making and delivering Meals on Wheels. She said they loved helping the “old people”, which was ironic as most of the recipients of their kindness were older than the couple. In 2002, the couple was honored by being crowned the Golden Agers King & Queen of the Winter Carnival.

After Spick entered the Veterans’ Home, Loretta began volunteering in the craft department by helping the resident Veterans. Spick Fauske left a hole in Loretta’s heart when he passed on July 4, 2009. The loving couple had been married for 58 years. He was her Spick to her Span. She missed him immensely.

Every day she recounted the events of the world, community and her personal life in her journal. Often she would write in pencil in case she made mistakes, so it wouldn’t look too messy!

She is preceded in death by her parents; Charles & Hazel Hudson, brother Lawrence Hudson, sister Leota (Dutchie) Porteus, grandsons, Chad and Bo Motichka, numerous brothers and sisters-in-law, and many friends so very dear to her.

She is survived by her children; Diana (Carl) Motichka, Rodney Fauske, Janice (Ron) Judd, and Susan Anderson (Daryl Culbert). She is also survived by numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. And too many wonderful friends to mention.

She may have been tiny, but her enormous heart was filled with love.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite charity. A celebration of Loretta’s life will be held on July 21, 2023.