Lewis 'Lewie' Schenck, 77

Lewis Stewart Schenck passed away peacefully at his Kalispell home on April 7, 2012.

Lew was born on March 7, 1935, in Montpelier, Idaho, to Hilda and Stewart Schenck. Lew’s father worked for Morrison Knudson (MK), a construction company, and the family moved frequently to follow construction projects.  They lived in Ketchum and Boise, Idaho, Kalispell, and Cheyenne, Wyo. In 1947 they moved from Cheyenne to Long Island, N.Y.

In 1952, when Lew was 17 years old, his father passed away while working on a dam project in Kandahar, Afghanistan. Lew had to grow up quickly, and drove his younger sister Patricia and mother from Long Island back to Kalispell where they had family. He attended Flathead County High School, graduating in 1953.

After high school Lew worked for Kalispell Lumber Company for a short time before enlisting in the Navy, in 1955. Because Lew graduated at the top of his submarine class, he was given a choice to serve on the first nuclear submarine, the Nautilus, or accept an assignment in Hawaii. He chose Hawaii and served on the Bass and Tiru submarines.

Lew was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1959, returned to the Flathead and worked for Anaconda Aluminum Company. Shortly thereafter, he met the love of his life, Beverly June Gronley. After a three-month courtship they married on Aug. 8, 1959, in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. They spent 52 wonderful years together, and raised three sons, Steven, Rodney and Brian.

After marrying Beverly, Lew spent the next nine years working for Retail Credit Company in Kalispell and Great Falls, and Fargo, N.D. Lew wanted to get his family back to "God's Country," so while visiting family and vacationing in Kalispell, he went job hunting and found employment with Gambles retail store located on Main Street. He started there as a store clerk, and spent the next 19 years moving up the ranks of the organization, achieving a position in upper management at the corporate headquarters in Minneapolis.

In 1986, Lew had an opportunity to get back to the Mountain West, and accepted a position with C-A-L Ranch Stores in Idaho Falls, Idaho. C-A-L Ranch Stores were five farm and ranch supply stores in southern Idaho. Lew started as general manager and later was co-owner. Lew retired from C-A-L Stores in 1995 and returned to Kalispell to enjoy his retirement.

Lew was an avid golfer and enjoyed Buffalo Hill, serving on the board for a time. He loved the outdoors, and built a cabin “out west” where he appreciated Montana's splendid outdoors. He loved hunting, fishing, four wheeling and spending time with friends and family.

Lew was a good provider, a wonderful husband, father and grandfather. He was a thoughtful and intelligent man, and a source of wisdom and strength.  He loved life, and brightened everybody's day with his goofy sense of humor.  

“Heaven will have more laughs and be a bit brighter now that Lew has gone home.”

Lew was preceded in death by his father Stewart, and his mother Hilda.

Lew is survived by his wife, Beverly Schenck; three sons, Steven and wife Peggy, Rodney and wife Kathy, and Brian and wife Cathy, all of Kalispell; nine grandchildren, Meghan, Amanda, Matthew, Jennie, Katelyn, Justin, Alex, Sidney and Tyler; sister, Patricia, and husband, Don Kallevig, of Colorado Springs, Colo.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A viewing will be held from noon to 5 p.m. Thursday, April 12, at Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Friday, April 13, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church; burial will follow at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery. A reception will be held at the Rainbow Bar following shortly after the burial.