Mary Louise Loucks, 93, of Helena, died at St. Peter’s Hospital January 1, 2013. Born in Sharon, Kansas, June 11, 1919, she was the first child of John Edmund White and Daisy Margaret Allphin White. The family moved to a farm nine miles south of Pratt, Kansas where Mary Louise grew up with her two brothers, Donald born in 1921, and Howard born in 1924. Donald died in 1935 and Howard presently lives in Pratt.
Mary Louise attended a rural, two teacher school through eighth grade and then attended high school in Pratt. She was an honor student and participated in orchestra, debate and athletic activities. During her last year of high school she drove back and forth from the farm in a Peerless car known as ‘Helouiholojebet’, a combination of the names of five friends.
She entered Southwestern College at Winfield, Kansas with the goal of becoming a physical education teacher. After completing three years she transferred to Colorado College of Education at Greeley, Colorado. In June of 1941 she graduated with a major in health and physical education and teaching minors in English and science.
While attending school at Greeley she met Homer V. Loucks, education major from Montana. They were married July 3, 1941 at the Methodist parsonage in Denver, Colorado. At the time Mary Louise was directing summer activities at the Alamo Placeta Playground in Denver while Homer was attending summer school in Greeley.
That fall they moved to Brockway, Montana where Homer was a teacher and coach. Here Mary Louise was introduced to cooking with lignite coal, washing on the board, outdoor plumbing and carrying water from the town pump. “She survived and so did the marriage although there were times when both were probably a shade shaky.”
The next fall they moved to Nashua, Montana where they were to stay for ten years. Their son Brian Homer was born in 1942 followed by son John Donald in 1944 and daughter Rita Marie in 1949. It was in Nashua that Mary Louise began her career as a teacher. Homer had become superintendent in 1943 and the task of keeping the school going during the war years became his. Teachers were hard to get and whenever and wherever there was a shortage, Mary Louise filled in. She taught physical education, home economics, English, science and elementary school at various times during the years and did a good job in all areas.
In 1952 the family moved to Malta, Montana where Homer served as high school principal and superintendent for the next nine years. Mary Louise taught physical education and substituted in several areas. She and Homer were very active in Eastern Star while in Malta.
In 1961 Homer joined the staff at the Office of Public Instruction in Helena, Montana. The first year Mary Louise taught at the Girls Vocational School and the next year taught 7th grade English-social studies at C.R. Anderson School. After several years she became school librarian until retirement in 1978. Upon retirement she was recognized as a talented educator and a tireless worker.
After retirement Mary Louise spent her time making quilts, helping her husband with his genealogical research and creating and collecting dolls. She and Homer had been married 56 years when Homer passed away in 1998.
In 2002 Mary Louise and her little dog Penny moved to the Waterford Retirement Home. Penny became a resident favorite and Mary Louise became very involved in all aspects of her new community. She was elected President, served on several committees and made everyone feel comfortable. She thoroughly enjoyed her social life there.
Mary Louise joined P.E.O while in Malta and was an active member for fifty years. She and Ginnie Lane were instrumental in organizing Helena Chapter BK in 1982. A Charter Member of BK, she served as its first president. From the beginning P.E.O. was important to her.
Mary Louise was preceded in death by her parents John and Daisy White, her brother Donald and her husband Homer.
She is survived by her brother Howard White of Pratt, Kansas, son Brian and Patricia Loucks of Great Falls, son John of Lincoln and daughter Rita and Rod Boyer of Helena. Mary Louise is also survived by grandchildren Brian Lance (Julie) Loucks of Missoula, B.J. Loucks of Great Falls, Suzie Boyer (Brent) Poppe of Belgrade and David (Jo McMullen) Boyer of Saint Cloud, Minnesota. Her great grandchildren are John David Poppe, Scott Morgan Poppe and Fiora Louise Boyer.
“The family is the answer to this mother’s prayers and all Homer and I could have asked for of our nearly 56 years of marriage. Over the years time becomes more precious. How quickly each day passes.”
Mary Louise lived, laughed, loved and will be missed.
For the kind, compassionate care of Mary Louise at the end of her life we thank Jo, Leroy and Shirley of ‘Our House Assisted Living’ and also the doctors and staff of St. Peter’s Hospital.
The family will receive friends at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, January 5, 2013 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home. A Funeral Service will begin at 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home with burial to take place at Forestvale Cemetery following the funeral service.
Service Schedule
Family and Friends Service
10:00 a.m,. to 10:30 a.m.
Saturday January 5, 2013
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, MT 59602
Funeral Service
10:30 a.m.
Saturday January 5, 2013
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Family and Friends Service
10:00 a.m,. to 10:30 a.m.
Saturday January 5, 2013
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, MT 59602
Funeral Service
10:30 a.m.
Saturday January 5, 2013
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Share
Londa Routzahn Burns says
Rita and family, I am sorry for your loss, your mom was an awesome person. I enjoyed talking with her whenever I would visit my Aunt at the Waterford. God Bless.
Diane L Krier says
Mr Loucks i wanted you to know how deeply sorry i am for your loss.Reading your moms obit actually made me smile. what an awsome woman and life she has had. God has her now and i’ll pray for you and your family for healing. Wiith sadness and regret to you and your family.
Kennon Baird says
Mrs. Loucks was my 7th grade teacher at C. R. Anderson. I was kind of a problem kid, but she cared about me, and I’ve thought of her over the years. I’m sorry to hear she’s gone.
Suzi Higgins Curtis says
Mr. and Mrs. Loucks,
My condolences go out to your family. I am so sorry for your loss. Sounds like she had an adventurous life filled with love.
xoxo,
Suzi Higgins Curtis
Donna Jackson Turcott says
My condolences to all of the Loucks family. I worked with Mary Louise at C.R.Anderson back when it included elementary grades. She was a classy lady and a hard-working, serious librarian, who was always there to help teachers and students. I loved her big smile and the twinkle in her eyes. She and Homer always looked so happy together. When I would see her in later years at the Waterford, it was apparent that she continued to thrive in her retirement.
Jeanette Winslow says
Dear Mr. Loucks, I was so sorry read of your mother’s passing, but no one could as fro a more loving and caring son than you. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Carol Campbell Zaharko says
To the Loucks families: my sympathy to you in your loss. I have fond memories of Mrs. Loucks as a 7th grade homeroom teacher at C.R.Anderson in Helena, and then as my boss at the CRA library while I was in high school. She truly knew how to teach — whether it was lessons in school or lessons in life. I was also lucky enough to have attended Helena High School when Mr. Loucks was Principal, and I think they had a common approach to kids. I am grateful for the wonderful fortune to have known both of them. They both made a positive difference in my life.
Shirley Nybakken Ball says
I have not seen the Loucks’ since they lived in Nashua, but have fond memories of them. Homer was my 7th grade teacher and I was a baby sitter for the family when they attended PTA and other functions. Rita was just a baby, and the boys were active kids. I used to pay them to go to bed. Sorry for your loss, you are in my prayers. Shirley Nybakken Ball
Pam Brown says
Dear Rita & Family ~
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your mother. I remember meeting her when i worked at SN & S Co with you. What a very nice lady.
My thoughts and Prayers are with you at this time. I know you will miss her dearly.
May God Bless You,
Pam Brown
Helena, MT