Pearl Marie Beauchman Lapke (92) was greeted by God the early morning of April 11, 2022, peacefully in her sleep. Finally, a full restful breath.

“Marie” Pearl was born at home on October 24th, 1929, in Harlem, Montana. Her Grandma “Kookum” delivered her. She was the first daughter of ten children to Thomas and Victoria Beauchman of Wolf Point and Glasgow. She recently told stories of her favorite childhood memories, such as playing baseball with the neighborhood kids and making “band instruments” out of coffee cans and milk jugs. In her early adult years, she loved bowling and dancing with her girlfriends.

She was blessed with an amazing family, many friends, and close loved ones in her life. She first married Lance Hack, through which they had two children, Thomas and Victoria. They decided to part ways and later separated. While working at a grocery store in Glasgow, Pearl went on a blind date through mutual friends with Howard J. Lapke. Their love blossomed into marriage in September of 1961. They had a blended family of seven children; Don, Karla, Patsy, Glen, Thomas, Victoria, and together had, Gordon. The beginning of their marriage was spent raising children while owning and operating a grocery store in Poplar, Montana. They then went on to run the Diamond Bar X in Augusta. After, they packed everything up to move to Simms to own and operate The Fireside Inn, where they spent the duration of their lives. The Fireside was a place for everyone. Pearl loved dancing to Saturday night bands, celebrating holidays, and conversing with their patrons. She always made sure everyone felt welcome in her home and never left without a belly full of food. She loved spending time at pow-wows, as well and lived for “a good piece of fry bread.” She also loved her nickname as “Wahpu” to her family in the Glasgow area.

After Howard died in 1997, Pearl spent her days filling her best role as Grandma or “G-ma”. Pearl loved her grandchildren with all her might. There was no tree house too big for her to help build, no rummy game she couldn’t win, or story she couldn’t tell by memory. Each play-day ended with a game of lipstick old maid, a bath, a bedtime story, and grandchildren lined up on her bed to snuggle in and listen.

When Pearl wasn't wrangling grandchildren, she spent her time living for her life's passions. For 50 years, she was a devoted member of St. Ann's Catholic Church in Fort Shaw. She spent much time volunteering, cleaning, and growing closer with the parish family and priests. Another highlight was when she was inducted into the Hall of Fame for the Montana Cowgirl's Association. She spent 15 years volunteering to read to children at Fort Shaw Elementary through the Montana Foster Grandparents Program. In the later years of her life, she firmly believed in the power of prayer, as it worked many times throughout her life. Health ailments aside, Pearl was as sharp as a tack until the very end. Pearl impacted everyone around her, and the sparkle of her blue eyes left a lasting impression on all of us. 

Pearl is survived by her children, Vicki, Gordon (Kim), Glen, and Karla; her brother, Jim of Georgia; her grandchildren, Matt (Brenna), Ashley (Ron), Jacob (Ciara), Jade (Jon), Jessica (Chad), Cassie (Eric), Kayla (Brandon), Mason, Paige, Katie (Spencer), Cheyenne (Sam), and Bailee (Josh); and great-grandchildren, Faith, Madison, Kai, Kenzie, Kooper, Kellan, Macklyn, Drew, Easton, Dutton, and soon-to-be-born baby boy Winterrowd. She continued a special bond with her daughter-in-law, Bonnie (Jim), her sister-in-law Patricia, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins on her Beauchman side.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Victoria. Her brothers; Thomas, Albert, Franklin, and Robert. Her sisters; Ramona, Ruby, Dean, and Patricia. Her children; Thomas, Patsy, and Don. As well as many other cherished family members and friends.

Pearl’s service will be at 2:00 pm Monday, April 18th, 2022, at St. Ann’s Church in Fort Shaw. An urn placement will follow this at the Sun River Cemetery and a celebration of life at the Lions Hall in Simms.

Thank you all for helping bring peace to her final days with us. We have comfort knowing she is happy to be home with all her loved ones in Heaven and is watching down on us all. Condolences for the family may be mailed to O’Connor Funeral Home (2425 8th Ave N, Great Falls, MT 59401). Memorials can be sent to Peace Hospice of Montana through the Benefis Foundation or St. Ann’s Church in Fort Shaw, MT.