Lorraine Cecile Plouhar Biggs (Gallik) was born July 12, 1927 in Muskegon, Michigan to her parents Andrew and Suzanne Plouhar. She was the second of 7 siblings. During WWII she moved to San Diego, CA while her father served in the U.S. Navy. She graduated from high school there and met her husband Gerald Biggs of St. Ignatius, Montana.
After Gerald finished his Naval service, the new couple moved back to Montana where they had 5 children, one passed at 2 years of age. Tragedy struck again when Gerald died in a logging truck accident. Lorraine’s indominable spirit and her faith in the Lord helped her to continue through these tough times, raising her four children alone.
They moved several times before settling in Lorraine’s beloved Anaconda, MT area. She loved her community and was actively involved for over 50 years. In her early years she worked for the Butte Anaconda Pacific Railroad (BAP). She was active in her children’s schools. She eventually became a Justice of the Peace and served Anaconda for many years. Along the way she met many friends and did much traveling. She always said, “Have suitcase, will travel.” She was involved in her local parish, the gardening club, the library committee, the concert committee, the senior center, the county weed board, and so many others as she loved serving her community.
In 1991 she married Raymond Gallik. They settled on a small ranch outside of Anaconda where they continued to be active in the community and do a fair amount of traveling. They were married for 23 years when he passed in 2015.
In her 95 years of life, Lorraine was a loyal friend, keeping correspondence with many friends for nearly 70 years. She loved her family, her church, her friends, and her community.
Lorraine passed peacefully in her sleep October 4, 2022. She is preceded in death by her parents, 3 brothers (Erwin, David, and Danny) 2 sisters (Florence and Louise), her husband Gerald, her husband Raymond, her son Marty, and a grandson Tom Biggs. She is survived by her sister Mary Jane Duguay, her son Michael (Geni) Biggs, daughter Patti (Jere) Wittkopp, son Jerry (Irasema) Biggs, and son Mark (Brenda) Biggs, 15 grandchildren, nearly 25 great-grand and step-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, a brother-in-law Glenn Biggs, a stepson Lynn (Linda) Gallik, and countless friends.
She will be remembered for her positivity, her hard-working attitude, fair but firm approach, zest for life, love for Scrabble and other board and card games, and her faith.
A funeral mass will be held November 5 at 10:30a.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church in Anaconda. A reception will be held immediately following the funeral mass in the community center of Holy Family Church. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to one of the following: Holy Family Catholic Church, the Anaconda Senior Center, or the Anaconda Hearst Free Library. A private graveside ceremony will be held for family in St Ignatius, Montana.
Please visit below to offer the family a condolence or share a memory of Lorraine.
Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Home and Cremation Services has been privileged to care for Lorraine and her family.