Lorraine Ruth Schwenke

Lorraine Ruth Schwenke, 76, of Zortman, Montana passed away March 19, 2019 in Billings, Montana.

Lorraine Ruth, daughter of Floyd and Dorlene (Friede) Miller was born on March 23, 1942 in Havre, Montana. She grew up in Chinook, Montana and attended the Chinook High School.

Lorraine was united in marriage to Charles Schwenke on May 3, 1961 in Whitefish, Montana. The couple lived near Harlem, Montana. Lorraine worked on their farm in Harlem, where she hayed, calved, doctored many sick calves in the feedlot and many, many other jobs. In 1977 Charlie and Lorraine purchased the ranch near Thornhill Butte in Landusky, where she lived until she passed.

Lorraine loved her horses. She was active in omoksees, chuck-wagon days, 4-H, rodeos, barrel races, and team ropings. She helped start the Little Rockies Barrel Racing Association in the early '80s and which is still going strong today. She was a director of the Montana State High School Rodeo Association. She was actively involved in the sports of her sons and grandchildren. She was undoubtedly their biggest fan. Lorraine was a very selfless person always putting her wants and needs behind those that she loved. She made endless sacrifices for the people around her.

She is survived by her husband, Charles Schwenke; sons, Dusty (Julie) of Harlem, Montana and Shane (Vicki) of Zortman, Montana; brother, Larry (Phyllis) Miller of Elkwater, Alberta, Canada; sisters, Judy (John) Brady of Big Piney, Wyoming and Mitzi (Gordon) Huft of Townsend, Montana; eight grandchildren; six great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents.

The family will receive friends 10:00 a.m., Monday, March 25, 2019 at the Old Malta High School Gym in Malta, Montana. Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m., Monday, March 25, 2019 at the Old Malta High School Gym, with a luncheon to follow at the Tin Cup Bar and Grill in Malta, Montana.

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