Luke Lalum 88, a resident of Kalispell for the past 73 years, died Friday April 9th at Brenden House, peacefully surrounded by his family. Luke was born May 7, 1921, on the family farm, in Maddock, North Dakota, to Esther and Sigurd Lalum. He was the youngest of 6 children. Luke was loved, and will be missed by all who knew him and had the privilege of calling him husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, friend and teacher.
Luke’s father died in 1937, when he was 16, at that time his Mother and family moved to the Flathead Valley. Luke graduated from Flathead High School in 1941, and was a member of the Flathead FFA, Flathead’s 1st State Championship football team, concert choir, and a member of the Army National Guard.
In 1941, he briefly attended University Montana until he enlisted in the Air Force on January 8, 1942. During World War II, he was a member of the 447th Bombardment Squadron, where he was the flight engineer and tail gunner on a B-25, in North Africa, Italy, Greece, Tunisia and the Balkans. He completed his 50 missions in October 1943, and was awarded the Purple Heart, good Conduct medal, 4 Bronze Stars, 8 Air Medals with Oak Leave Clusters and a Distinguished Unit Citation.
Luke returned to the United States and enrolled at Montana State College with a football scholarship, and majored in Agricultural Education, graduating in 1950. He met and married Marilyn Moorhouse while teaching in Fairview Montana, they were married in 1951.
They came to Kalispell in 1952, where he taught Vocational Agriculture until his retirement in 1981. He was a dedicated teacher whose students were an important part of his life. While teaching, he was elected National President of the Agriculture Teachers Association, a member of the Evergreen Lions, Evergreen School Board, Parrish Council of Risen Christ, and was President of the Montana Vocational Association. Luke designed the current H.E. Robinson Vo-Ag Center. During his years as a teacher of Vocational Agriculture, he was part of developing one of the premier Ag programs in the country.
Luke retired from teaching in 1981 and worked for the Flathead Conservation District for 6 years. During retirement he enjoyed his family, friends, golfing, wood carving, bridge, camping, fishing, and winters in Palm Springs.
Luke is survived by his wife of 57 years Marilyn, daughter Mary Lynn Baker of Deer Park Washington, and son Mark Lalum, wife Wendy of Kalispell. Grandchildren; Trevor Baker, wife Jaidean of Spokane Washington, and Jennifer Rasmussen, husband Logun of Deer Park Washington, Ashley and Ryan Lalum of Kalispell. Great-grandchildren: Teagun and Emery Baker of Spokane, as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Luke was preceded in death by his parents Sigurd and Esther, sisters, Eldora Kinyon, Leona Kinyon and brothers, Palmer, Sig and Ray.
The family wishes to thank the staff at Brendan House for their exceptional care of Dad.