Faithe Marie Schellinger

Surrounded by her husband and children, Faithe Marie (Rasmussen) Schellinger, 72, of Kalispell, Mont., left this world to join her loved ones in heaven on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2015, after bravely losing a battle with cancer. Her courage and compassion during her short battle was an inspiration to us all.

She was born to Alvin and Leone Rasmussen in Glasgow on Feb. 23, 1943. She spent her childhood in Glasgow with her brother, Lee, and sister Jerri, and she attended and graduated from Glasgow High School cheering on her beloved Scotties. She and her fellow cheerleaders were life-long friends. After high school, she attended St. Catherine's University in St. Paul, Minn., and Prospect Hall Secretary School in Milwaukee, Wis. Returning to Glasgow, she met the love of her life, Daniel Schellinger. They were married in Glasgow on Aug. 17, 1963, and had two children, Shawn Schellinger and Shannon Bachman.

She and Dan bounced around the state of Montana frequently in the early years as Schellinger Construction moved across the state. But when they arrived in Columbia Falls, Mont., in 1970, they knew they found their home. Their children were able to walk across the street to attend Columbia Falls High School, and the whole family enjoyed many Wildcat football and basketball games throughout the years.

She was a legal secretary for many years in Kalispell and was an integral part of the Columbia Falls law firm of Bothe & Lauridsen for 17 years, along with one of her best friends, Michelle Knutson.

She was always active in numerous organizations throughout her life. She worked tirelessly as the local president of the American Cancer Society; co-chairman of the Church Women United; fund raiser for the March of Dimes; taught Junior Bowling; served two terms on the Columbia Falls City Council; secretary/treasurer of the Columbia Falls Booster Club; taught Sunday School at St. Richards Catholic Church; Cub Scout den mother; taught English to the children of migrant workers in Mecca, Calif .; lector for St. Richards Catholic Church.

In retirement, she and Dan became snow birds and spent their winters in Palm Desert, Calif., where her parents also retired. She was very active in their Catholic Church.

Her children and grandchildren were her life. She and her whole family enjoyed many vacations and holidays together. The most memorable was a Hawaiian cruise in 2014 to celebrate numerous family milestones. It will be a special memory for all those who were able to share that precious time with her.

She was preceded in death by her father, Alvin Rasmussen; and two siblings, Lee and Jerri Rasmussen.

Survivors include her loving husband, Dan Schellinger, of Columbia Falls; children, Shawn Schellinger and his wife, Denise, of Broomfield, Colo., and Shannon Bachman and her husband, Michael, of Fishers, Ind .; her mother, Leone Rasmussen, of Palm Desert; grandchildren, Kayla and Austin Bachman of Fishers, Ind., and Ryan and Mia Schellinger of Broomfield, Colo.

Funeral services took place at St. Richard's Catholic Church in Columbia Falls on Oct. 21, at 11 a.m. with Father John Miller presiding. Burial will occur privately at a later date. A reception occurred directly after the funeral at the nearby Back Room Restaurant in Columbia Falls, one of Faithe's favorites. The Columbia Mortuary was in charge of the arrangements. Please call Shawn Schellinger at 303-641-5136 for any questions.

Mecca Elementary school in the little town of Mecca, Calif., held a special place in her heart. She was involved in the school and with the children who attended by her association with the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Palm Desert. Please send any memorial donations to the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 43775 Deep Canyon Rd., Palm Desert, CA 92260 or by phone, 760-346-6502. Please mention the Mecca School as the destination of your donation. She would be so happy that the impact she has had on those kids continues beyond her death. Visit mecca.cvusd.us/pages/Mecca_Elementary to see amazing photos of the kids whose lives she touched.

She left us way too early. She will be terribly missed by those she left behind. We know she is in Heaven smiling down on us as she celebrates her reunion with her father, brother, and her sister.