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Lori Jean Bain, 52

by Daily Inter Lake
| August 8, 2006 1:00 AM

Lori Jean Bain passed away at the Immanuel Lutheran Home on Aug. 5, 2006, surrounded by her close family and friends, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Lori was born Jan. 8, 1954, in Great Falls, to Emmet and Bonnie Eller. Lori spent her entire childhood in Centerville. She attended public school and graduated with honors from Centerville High in 1972. During her school years, Lori was actively involved in several organizations including band, cheerleading and the drill team.

After graduation, Lori moved to Missoula to attend the University of Montana, studying psychology while owning and operating a pizza business on Front Street.

In 1980, Lori gave birth to her only child, Rani.

In 1983, Lori and Rani moved back to Great Falls, where Lori became a certified optician while working with a private optometrist. Later, Lori went to work as an optician at Malmstrom Air Force Base. Lori and her daughter moved to Kalispell in August 1994 after Lori accepted the optical manager position opening at the then-new Shopko Store in Kalispell. She continued her optical career there until April 2000.

In February 1995, while working at Shopko Optical, Lori waited on a customer — her future husband, and love of her life, Jeff, and they were joined in holy matrimony Sept. 2, 2000, aboard the Far West cruise ship on Flathead Lake.

Lori's passion in life was her ability and willingness to care for and take care of all her family and friends in time of need. Lori had such a big heart and was never selfish in giving of herself or her time to those who were less fortunate.

Lori enjoyed traveling along with her daughter Rani to various figure-skating competitions. She was always there to sew Rani's special outfits as well as cheering her on.

Along with Rani, Lori was also very proud off her two stepsons, Nathan and Jared. Lori and Jeff would always attend and support their kids' sporting activities, and Lori's cheering would always be heard amongst the crowd! Even though Lori was only a stepmother to Nathan and Jared, she helped raise and care for them exactly as if they were her own.

Lori was also a proud 'Nana' to her granddaughter, Faith. She spent countless days and hours helping care for her special one while Rani was at work. Unfortunately, Lori will miss the birth of Rani's son, Ostyn, due this coming September; 'but we know that she will be enjoying the moment from heaven!'

Lori's other passion in life was traveling with family and special vacations with her husband, Jeff. Some of her travels included Hawaii on numerous occasions, Mexico, Florida, Las Vegas, New Orleans, New York City and Canada She loved to travel with her husband on his business trips as well.

Going camping in the trailer was also on top of Lori's list of fun things to do. She enjoyed hanging out at the cabin at Bitterroot Lake. Whether she was relaxing on the porch swing, going for a boat ride or sampling some of Annette's fine home baked pies, Lori always enjoyed spending quality time with family and friends at the lake.

Lori was a master decorator and party planner. She always dreamed of going into her own business in this particular field. Her favorite time of year was the Christmas holiday season. She would spend days, even weeks, planning, decorating the house and preparing the family guest list for Christmas dinner. Lori insisted on putting on the party each year, and she did a marvelous job!

Lori's caring and devoted mother, Bonnie, quit her job in March 2006 to help care for Lori during her illness, making several trips to the Mayo Clinic, and being by her side every step of the way. Husband Jeff, sister Lynn, brother Lance, Rani, and the rest of the family also played an important part of Lori's patient care.

Lori is survived by her husband, Jeff Bain, of Kalispell; daughter, Rani Brennan, and husband, Mike, of Oak Harbor, Wash.; two stepsons, Nathan Bain and Jared Bain, both of Kalispell; her mother, Bonnie Eller, of Cascade; one sister, Lynn Gasser, and husband, Mark, of Kalispell; one brother, Lance Eller, and wife, Sheri, of Lewistown; granddaughter, Faith Brennan; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Lori was a godly woman and devoted Christian. Collecting and displaying angels of all types was her special joy. 'She will definitely be our angel and will await our family with open arms for the joyous reunion in heaven.' Until then she will be dearly missed by her close family and all others who were fortunate enough to be part of her life.

The family suggest memorials be sent to Angel Flight, 3161 Donald Douglas Loop South, Santa Monica, CA 90405; or the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718.

Visitation for Lori will be held from 3 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 10, at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 11, at the Christian Center Assembly of God Church, 255 Summit Ridge Drive, in Kalispell, with burial afterward at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery.

Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family.