Hope May Schwank
courtesy photo
Hope Schwank
POLSON — Hope May Schwank, 77, of Polson, (formerly Colorado Springs, Colorado), passed away on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017, at St. Joseph Medical Center.
She was born on Nov. 15, 1939, in Mason, Michigan, to Gordon and Faith (Taylor) Reavely. As a young girl she was raised with her two brothers, Neal and Keal, on a farm in Michigan. Upon graduation from high school, she attended Michigan State University for two years and subsequently met the love of her life, Lieutenant Jock Schwank while he was in pilot training in Big Spring, Texas. After a whirlwind six-week courtship, on Nov. 5, 1961, they married in Okemos, Michigan. Jock and Hope spent 56 years together filled with fun and love.
During those 56 years, they were stationed in Texas, Alaska, Montana, Florida, Oregon and Colorado. As a mother to David and Blake, she led 4-H and taught them and other children how to not only raise rabbits and guinea pigs, but how to care for others. She taught her boys how to be good men and husbands.
A loving wife, she and Jock had many interests. For many years they raised finches and koi, built ponds, Simpich Elf villages and collected and sold Teddy Bears. She was a successful artist, throwing many art shows and painting not only acrylic on canvas, but on many different mediums including carved leather, slate, driftwood, shirts, shoes and wooden purses.
Survivors include her husband, Jock of Polson; sons and daughters-in-law and three granddaughters, David and Jill Schwank and granddaughter, Ashley of Loveland, Colorado, and Blake and Christie Schwank and granddaughters, Katrina and Jessica of Colorado Springs, Colorado; and one brother, Neal Reavely of Oregon City, Oregon.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Gordon and Faith Reavely and her brother, Keal Reavely.
A celebration of life has been held.
Interment will be at a future date at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs.
In lieu of flowers, please send memorial donations to the Friends of the Air Force Academy Library, P.O. Box 188, USAFA, Colorado, 80840 or a charity of your choice.
Messages of condolence may be sent to the family online at: www.lafefuneralhomeandcremation.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to The Lake Funeral Home and Crematory, Polson.
