Evelyn “Lucille” Long Richwine
RONAN — Evelyn “Lucille” Long Richwine, 87, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family at St. Luke Hospital on Nov. 8, 2015, from the effects of acute myeloid leukemia, which had been diagnosed on July 9, 2015.
Lucille was born on May 24, 1928, in Hastings, Nebraska, to Earl and Grace Long. She was the first of four daughters. Her family moved to the Ronan area where her parents homesteaded east of town at the base of the mountain. During the war in 1942 the family moved for a short period of time to Denver where her father worked at the Remington Arms Ammunitions plant to help out in the war effort. Later the family moved back to the Mission Valley settling in Polson for a few years and living at the Lake County shop across the bridge while her father Earl, work for the county as a shop foreman.
Lucille attended high school in Polson, graduating from Polson High School in 1946. During her high school years she worked at the local theatre where she was an usher and later moved up to working in the ticket booth. She started her bookkeeping career at the local dime store. The skills she learned she would later use while running the family business.
Lucille met and married a young Navy man by the name of Enoch Richwine. They were married on July 21, 1947, in Missoula and enjoyed 58 years of marriage. Lucille spent the early years of her marriage as a full time wife and mother. She continued to live in the same residence that she and Enoch built in 1948 until the time of her passing.
After the premature birth of their daughter Marcia in 1961, Enoch came home one day and told Lucy “you had better get a job” to help pay the large medical bills incurred due to the birth. On April 20, 1962, Lucille and Enoch became business partners in a little hamburger stand called Richwine’s Burgerville. They leased the restaurant for the first three years and then purchased the land, buildings and equipment even though the banker was skeptical and said Richwine’s Burgerville would never make it as it was too far out of town. Lucille and Enoch worked side by side for 24 years where they built their business together into what it is today. Upon Enoch’s retirement in 1987, Lucille partnered with her son Shane for three years and then retired in 1990. Son Shane took over the operations of the business for the next 20 years. Upon Shane’s death in 2009, daughter Marcia came back to the valley to keep the family business operating and has now completed her sixth season. Though Lucille retired in 1990 she continued to be by her children’s side assisting in the daily operations of the business wherever and whenever needed. She recently stated that Burgerville was her life. She was proud that each of her children as well as many of her grandchildren over the years, worked at the restaurant. Lucille was blessed to have employed and worked with so many special people. Not only were they employees but also became very good friends.
Lucille was honored to be a lifetime member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary. She was awarded her 60-year pin this year. She spent many volunteer hours sewing baby blankets for St Joseph Hospital. She used her sewing skills during the last few years sewing quilts with the ladies at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Polson on Monday mornings.
Lucille loved to travel, hunt and fish with her husband, children and grandchildren. By 2004, she had accompanied her husband on over 13 trips with the Dixon Senior citizens. With her dear friend Ann Belen by her side, they took many trips to Idaho to put pennies (????) in the slot machines. Mom was not a big gambler but went more for the social activities. She loved being around her friends and a priority was to make sure that she spent time with them on Friday nights at the Polson Elks Club for dinner. Mom also loved attending her grandchildren’s events. She took great pride in their accomplishments.
Lucille is preceded in death by her parents Earl Long (1989) and Grace Long (2008); Lucille’s baby daughter (1955); husband Enoch (2006); and son Shane (2009).
Lucille’s three children: Mason (Kathy) Richwine of Columbia Falls, Corey (Kathy) Richwine of Ronan, and Marcia (Cameron) Moen of Missoula; her daughter In-Law Vicky Richwine of Polson; her eight grandchildren: Jeremy (Marisa) Richwine of Florien, Louisiana, Sam Richwine, Adam Richwine USMC of North Carolina, Brandy Richwine of Ronan, Christina Richwine of Charlo, Danielle Richwine of Ronan, Casey Moen of Medora, North Dakota and Cassidy Moen of Missoula; her two step-grandchildren: Todd Robertson and Daren Robertson of Hungry Horse; her three great-grandchildren: Matthew, Elizabeth and Kennon Richwine of Florien, Louisiana, all survive her. Lucille is also survived by three sisters: Juanita (Homer) Andersen of Polson, Cookie Mead of Alberton and Peggy Seifert of Polson; along with numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral arrangements under the care of The Lake Funeral Home in Polson have taken place. The family asks that memorials be made to St. Luke Hospital in Ronan or the VFW Ladies Auxiliary in Ronan. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at: www.thelakefuneralhomeandcremtory.com.
