Catherine 'Kate' Church Luscher, 86
Catherine “Kate” Luscher passed away at the Valley Manor Care Center, Montrose, Colorado, on Dec. 31, 2017, battling Alzheimer’s. She had just celebrated her 86th birthday.
She was born Dec. 29, 1931, in Libby to Margaret and Paul Church. After graduating from Libby High School in 1949, she went on to attend the University of Idaho at Moscow, where she achieved a liberal arts degree in education. She taught high school in Sutherlin, Oregon, prior to her marriage.
On Sept. 18, 1955, Kate married her high school sweetheart, Charles “Bill” Luscher. His career afforded them the opportunity to move countless times all over the United States — Oklahoma, Nevada, Idaho, Virginia, Michigan, Colorado, New Mexico, Oregon, and finally returning to their home state of Montana upon retirement. During these many moves Kate developed and treasured lifelong friendships, pursued a variety of employment opportunities, served in numerous organizations; Girl Scouts, church committees, PEO, Red Hat Society and tried her hand at a large range of activities — ice skating, bridge, piano, tennis playing, stained glass, doll making, quilting, tap dancing, bell choir, and a love of travel. Kate and Bill, often accompanied by family and friends, traveled to Europe, Hawaii, Alaska, Ireland, Canada and Mexico. Kate was a voracious reader, an avid Denver Bronco fan, and probably should have had stock in a McDonald’s franchise with all of the McDonald’s diet cokes she consumed and savored.
Kate was preceded in death by Bill, her husband of 58 years; her parents; and sister, Helen.
She was the proud mother of three daughters, Jennifer Hurshman (Tom), Pamela Cushman (Mitch) and Molly Edwards (Steve); and seven grandsons and spouses, Derek Hurshman, Jeremy (Rachel) Hurshman, Bryce (Dana) Cushman, Miles (Kirsten) Cushman, Curtis (Rachel) Edwards, Zachary (Kelsey) Edwards and Cameron Edwards; and two great-grandchildren, Beckett and Lyza Cushman; along with numerous cousins, nephews and nieces.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Jan. 20, at the Montrose United Methodist Church, Montrose, Colorado. Those attending are encouraged to wear something red, her favorite color. She will be inurned with Bill in the Libby Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to HopeWest Hospice and Palliative Care of Western Colorado, 725 South 4th Street, Montrose, CO 81401; or the Community United Methodist Church, 750 Electric Avenue, Bigfork, MT 59911.