Lorraine Irene Tope

Lorraine Irene “Shortie” Tope, passed away peacefully at home with family April 6, 2015. Memorial services will be conducted 11:00AM, on Wednesday, April 29, 2015 at Coffelt Funeral Chapel, with Pastor Barry Johnson, of the New Song Bible Church, officiating. She was born to parents Roy and Tessie Long on November 20, 1928 in Sandpoint, Idaho where she was raised and lived and attended Bonner County Schools. On October 22, 1953 she Lorraine married Ken Tope in Thompson Falls, Montana. In 1960 with daughter Christy, they moved to their farm on Dufort road. There they remodeled and built an addition to the house, plus putting up several outbuildings. Ken was often away working road construction, so mother and daughter were busy putting in fences, raising cattle, haying and gardening. Lorraine was very creative and industrious. She worked in a few local restaurants but the job she liked most was flagging for road construction. Being outdoors was where her heart was, fishing, hunting and camping. She was an avid motorcycle rider, as well as enjoying four wheeling and snowmobiling. Another enjoyment was music and dancing. Having never been taught, she was a natural at playing many instruments, “by ear”. She was preceded in death by parents Roy and Tessie, infant brother Lyle, sister Luella, sister LaVina, stepfather Kenneth Carey and half-brother Jimmy Carey. She is survived by her husband Ken Tope, daughter Christy (Jerry) Bigler, brother LaVon (Patsy) Long, numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. The family wishes to express our deepest love and appreciation to Ken and Christy for the many years of wonderful and dedicated caregiving.