Pearl Lapke
Pearl Marie Beauchman Lapke, 92, died April 11, 2022.
“Marie” Pearl was born at home on Oct. 24, 1929, in Harlem. Her Grandma “Kookum” delivered her. She was the first daughter of 10 children to Thomas and Victoria Beauchman of Wolf Point and Glasgow.
She recently told stories of her favorite childhood memories, such as playing baseball with the neighborhood kids and making “band instruments” out of coffee cans and milk jugs. In her early adult years, she loved bowling and dancing with her girlfriends.
She first married Lance Hack, through which they had two children, Thomas and Victoria. They later separated.
While working at a grocery store in Glasgow, she went on a blind date through mutual friends with Howard J. Lapke. Their love blossomed into marriage in September 1961. They had a blended family of seven children: Don, Karla, Patsy, Glen, Thomas, Victoria and together had Gordon. The beginning of their marriage was spent raising children while owning and operating a grocery store in Poplar.
They then went on to run the Diamond Bar X in Augusta. After, they packed everything up to move to Simms to own and operate The Fireside Inn, where they spent the duration of their lives. The Fireside was a place for everyone. She loved dancing to Saturday night bands, celebrating holidays, and conversing with their patrons.
She loved spending time at pow-wows, as well and lived for “a good piece of fry bread.” She also loved her nickname as “Wahpu” to her family in the Glasgow area.
After Howard died in 1997, she spent her days filling her best role as Grandma or “Gma”. There was no tree house too big for her to help build, no rummy game she couldn’t win or story she couldn’t tell by memory.
When she wasn't wrangling grandchildren, she spent her time living for her life's passions. For 50 years, she was a devoted member of St. Ann's Catholic Church in Fort Shaw. She spent much time volunteering, cleaning, and growing closer with the parish family and priests. Another highlight was when she was inducted into the Hall of Fame for the Montana Cowgirl's Association. She spent 15 years volunteering to read to children at Fort Shaw Elementary through the Montana Foster Grandparents Program.
She is survived by her children, Vicki, Gordon, Glen and Karla; brother, Jim of Georgia; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her brothers, Thomas, Albert, Franklin and Robert; sisters, Ramona, Ruby, Dean and Patricia; and children, Thomas, Patsy and Don.
Her service was held Monday, April 18, at St. Ann’s Church in Fort Shaw. An urn placement followed at the Sun River Cemetery and a celebration of life was held at the Lions Hall in Simms.
