Lanita Agnes Elpel Flesch Tomsheck

 We thought we had a bit more time with our dear mother, at least until her 100th birthday in May, but Jesus called her home on March 18, 2025, at the age of 99 years, 10 months.

Agnes was a beautiful, generous, awesome, amazing lady. Many times, over the years, we have heard people say, “You have an amazing mother.” She did so many things to make others happy. She passed her energy onto others and was truly an inspiration to all.

Agnes was born May 21, 1925 in Glendive, MT, to August Elpel and Mabel Agnes Cloninger, the second of five children. She grew up on a farm about 40 miles northwest of Glendive, with her parents, three brothers, and one sister. They all walked 1.25 miles to school and sometimes rode a horse. Agnes attended all eight grades in that little country school. She graduated from Dawson County High School (Glendive) in May of 1942 at the age of 17. During graduation ceremony, Agnes played the song “The Robin’s Return” on the piano.

Agnes taught school for 34 years, 30 of those years were in the Browning School District. Her first teaching job, at age 17, was at a rural school near Richey, MT. The following year she taught at a rural school out of Glendive. Agnes then attended Eastern Montana College and earned a Life’s Certificate, which was good for the rest of her teaching career. After this year, Life Certificates were no longer issued. While at Eastern, she met Larry Flesch, who would become her husband.

Agnes then taught three years in Browning, waitressing at St. Mary’s Café in the summer. During this time, her parents gave her an Acrosonic piano, which was shipped via train to her apartment in Browning. Agnes played that piano for her entire life.

Agnes married Larry Flesch on June 21, 1948 and taught two years in Cut Bank in the H.C. Davis school, which is still used today. She and Larry then moved to Conrad, where two of her daughters were born, Priscilla (1951) and Cecelia (1952). They moved to a sheep ranch near Vaughn, where her third daughter, Virginia, was born in 1955. Later they moved to Shelby and finally to the ranch north of Browning. Later, she taught seven or eight years at Pontresina, a rural school north of Browning, until it closed. For six of those years, she taught her three girls, who reluctantly called her “Mrs. Flesch.”

She later taught at Babb, MT, for four years. Then she went back to Browning until 1993, when she ‘retired’ at the age of 68. Her favorite grade was first grade because she saw such progress, and she knew she was part of that growth.

Larry and Agnes lived full and busy lives on the ranch raising their three girls. They made time for dancing and hiking in Glacier Park. She thoroughly enjoyed the mountain ranch, with lots of wildflowers, and the freedom and athletic lifestyle it provided. Larry Flesch died April 11, 1986, age 66.

Agnes met Arthur Tomsheck in Cut Bank, at a dance. They were married on Valentine’s Day, 1998, both 72, in Babb, Montana. They shared a wonderful life together. They traveled a lot, which was a new adventure for Agnes. They kept busy attending family events, going to local dances, and maintaining flower and vegetable gardens. Agnes very much enjoyed her four stepsons and their families, who treated her with love and kindness. Arthur died on December 6, 2016, at age 91.

Agnes loved to play the piano. Her mother taught her to play when she was five years old. She liked the same melodies, songs, and dances that people love most. She played them with enthusiasm and a lively rhythm. No one could really play that music better. Generously, she played very regularly for churches (Babb and Cut Bank), care centers, senior centers, and local occasions, even in her 99th year, and people loved it.

Agnes had a strong work ethic, helping on the ranch whenever needed, teaching at Pontresina, a rural school six miles away. She would braid three heads of hair, make breakfast and lunch, teach all day, come home, and gather hundreds of eggs. After supper she would wash eggs and candle them to sell in Browning to help pay for groceries. She taught her students to square dance, to play flutophones and tap dance. Christmas programs were special, with singing, reciting poems, and performing various plays.

Agnes was perceptive, accepting people for who they are. On the long list of her fine attributes, nothing comes close to her noteworthy quality of forgiveness. She forgave easily, quickly, and genuinely. Agnes was very generous, giving numerous Christmas and birthday gifts throughout her life. Her gifts were beautifully wrapped with pretty paper, even complete with ribbons and homemade bows. She had a knack for buying just the right gift.

Agnes sewed for her three girls, making many dresses and also matching doll clothes. Christmases included receiving dolls, games, wind-up toys, pogo sticks, and toboggans. We had a special and fun childhood. Thank you, Mom!

Agnes was a devout Catholic. She stood up for her beliefs, religious, political or otherwise. She wasn’t afraid to speak her opinion. She expressed gratitude for having participated in this historic (2024) presidential election.

Agnes has been a Mary Kay consultant for 35 years, beginning in 1989, at the age of 64. She wanted something to do after she “retired.” She was proud of her business and often won ribbons for reaching sales quotas. She enjoyed her customers and the friendliness she had with Mary Kay colleagues.

She lived four miles from Cut Bank and was able to drive until she entered the hospital in Great Falls on March 3. She was an avid reader, reading more books in one month than most people read in a year. She started walking two to four miles daily while on the ranch and continued exercising throughout her life.

Agnes practiced the forgotten art of letter writing. She sent thank you notes for every gift she received. She often sent holiday cards, most recently Valentines, 2025. She still had very good handwriting.

Agnes loved angels. Many angels decorated her home, and her Christmas tree consisted of angel ornaments. Angels have protected Agnes throughout her long and fulfilling life. She had a number of noteworthy experiences of angelic presence, whether visual, auditory, or feeling the presence. One helped her to change an impossibly heavy pickup tire while out fencing on the ranch.

Agnes rose to the challenges in the world of technology, learning how to communicate by e-mail and texting. She ordered Mary Kay products on-line and attended Mary Kay zoom meetings. She had just ordered a new, up-to-date computer. She was not afraid to try something new, such as new recipes, stained glass projects, cross-country skiing , and a hot air balloon ride.

Agnes treated people with graciousness, showing compassion and caring. She was interested in other people’s lives, and was a good listener. Agnes was an optimist and a positive person. She never complained. “If you can’t find the sunshine, be the sunshine.” She shared her time, talent and treasures. She was truly a blessing to us! Our heroine.

Survivors include her three daughters, Priscilla (George) Birtic of Belgrade, MT; Cecelia (Rick) Jacka of Albuquerque, NM; and Virginia Flesch of Browning, MT; four grandsons, Chris Jacka of San Antonio, TX; Jesse Jacka, of Denver, CO; Nick( Charlene) Jacka and Phillip Jacka of Albuquerque, NM; four great grandchildren, Aaron, Matthew, Kaitlyn Jacka of San Antonio, TX; and Caleb Jacka of Albuquerque, NM; three sisters-in-law Jan Elpel of Bozeman; Joan Elpel of Billings, MT; and Bonnie Flesch of Helena, MT; one brother-in-law Alvin (Smitty) Schmidt of Sun City West, AZ; 43 (Elpel/Flesch) nieces and nephews; her three stepsons, Jay (Mary) Tomsheck, of El Paso, TX; Cal (Marcy) of Green Valley, AZ; Ned (Sarah) Tomsheck of Tucson, AZS; and one step daughter-in-law, Sue Tomsheck. Also surviving are her two special cats, Tommy and OJ.

Agnes was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, one sister, three nephews and a stepson, Dan Tomsheck.

Perhaps her grandson, Phillip Jacka, gave the best summary. He often said, “Grandma—keep walking with your head up high!” She loved that saying, eventually setting it to her own music. She has done as Phillip suggested, walking with her head high, even toward the Kingdom itself.

Rosary services will be Thursday, March 27, at 5:30 pm. Visitation will be one hour prior. Funeral mass will be Friday, March 28, at 11:00 am. All services will be held at St. Margaret Catholic Church.