Pauline LOTHSPEICH

1926 - 2023

Pauline A Lothspeich passed away January 4, 2023 at the age of 96 in Spokane, WA. She was born in Pierre, SD on April 3,1926 the only child of Paul A Yates and Hollie (Kirby) Yates. Through her younger childhood she moved often as her father worked for the American Steel Company & built Railroad bridges through the Dakotas, Montana, Idaho & Eastern Washington. She attended grade school in Plains, MT and graduated Salutatorian from Thompson Falls (Montana) High School in 1944.

Pauline attended Eastern Washington College of Education (now EWU) where she met her husband John Lothspeich upon his return from serving in WWII in the Pacific Theatre. They married at Grand Coulee Dam on September 12, 1946 and finished their last 2 years of college together graduating with a BA in Education in 1948. Pauline was active in college organizations including Senior Class Secretary/Treasurer & Golden Circle (Senior Womens Honorary). After graduation they began their teaching/coaching careers in Cashmere, WA. They received teaching & coaching jobs in Moses Lake, WA then John was called back to active service in 1950 and served in the Korean War. Pauline taught school in Moses Lake while John served. After 11 years in Moses Lake they moved to Pinole, California where Pauline taught & John worked on his PhD at Berkley. Their next move was to Cheney, WA where Pauline went back to EWU and earned her Masters Degree & John joined EWU's Administration. They then moved to Spokane which became their final home. Pauline retired from teaching in 1984. She went on to become an active volunteer in many areas. She worked with the Spokane Area Retired Teachers Association, chairing committees. She was active in the Washington State School Retirees Assoc. where she was on the Executive Board of Directors & chaired committees. She and John were very active in AARP working tirelessly locally and at the state level. She belonged to & volunteered with many other organizations. She & John traveled extensively around the globe. They had a lake home on Rockford Bay, Couer d'Alene Lake that they enjoyed for many years. They also enjoyed golfing and took many golfing trips around the NW.

Pauline was preceded in death by her husband John H. Lothspeich. She is survived by her daughter Marti Jo Fulfs (Dave) of Moscow, ID; son J Rand Lothspeich (Deban) of Nine Mile Falls, WA; grandson Travis D Fulfs of Pullman, WA; 3 great-grandchildren Tanner Fulfs of Canyon, TX; Lane Fulfs & Brenna Fulfs.

Thornhill Valley Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. There will be no service at Pauline's request.