Archie Norman Hulsizer, 96

Beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend, Archie Norman Hulsizer, 96, of Wallace, Idaho, passed away April 15, 2018 at the Shoshone Medical Center in Kellogg. He was born May 28, 1921, in Spokane, Wash.; Archie was the son of Archie Dewitt and Stella (Trezona) Hulsizer. He grew up in Spokane, attending Libby Junior High and graduating from Lewis and Clark High School in 1939. Archie was active in music and debate, winning numerous awards for both. He also attended the Kinman Business College of Spokane. Archie played in bands all over Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho, including the “Stardusters” with Wallace native Harry Magnuson.

Archie proudly served his country in the Army Air Corps during World War II, including a stint on Iwo Jima.

Archie began working for the Hecla Mining Company in May of 1940, and due to a vacancy began his career at the First National Bank that July as an assistant cashier; he later rose to vice president with the bank, later named the First National Bank of North Idaho and later merging as the First Security Bank. He had retired several times, the first time being in 1991.

After a first date in October of 1937, Archie married the love of his life, LoRayne Poutre, on Dec. 29, 1943, in Spokane. After serving in the military, they settled in Wallace, where they raised three children.

Archie was active in many organizations, including 50-plus years in the Wallace Elks Lodge #331 and had served as exalted ruler, the Wallace Gyro Club, also serving as district governor and the DeMolay, receiving the Cross of Honor. He was the treasurer for the Wallace School District for 30 years, chairman of the Wallace Centennial Celebration, president of the Slippery Gulch Association and director of the Nine Mile Cemetery Association. Archie served on several boards and committees including the Callahan Zeller Foundation, the Florence and Edwin Hall and David Morehouse Scholarship Funds, the Silver Valley Economic Foundation, the Northern Pacific Depot Foundation, Greater Wallace Development Corporation, Wallace Library trustee and the Idaho Centennial Committee.

Archie served on the Wallace City Council for many years and had also served as mayor during the filming of “Dante’s Peak,” meeting Pierce Brosnan and Linda Hamilton. He would often make the comment that he would not wash his cheek after Linda Hamilton gave him a kiss. In 1990, Archie received the key to the City and on July 18, 1990, Governor Cecil Andrus proclaimed the day as “Archie Hulsizer Day” in the state of Idaho. Archie had also helped to organize bus transportation for children to ski at the Lookout Pass Ski Area for many years. He was also a long-time member of the United Church of Christ Congregational of Wallace and had served as a deacon and choir director.

Archie was always busy helping others through boards, committees and generally being a good friend. He was meticulous and understood bookkeeping and finances thoroughly. He always had a sincere “hello,” even to strangers, and helped countless people with financial and day-to-day advice. Archie was active to the end, attending an INB performance in Spokane two weeks ago and drove to church the morning of his passing. His latest antic was to ask people to “Guess how old I am?” No one ever guessed his age. His love for Wallace was great. A true pillar of the community.

The most important thing in his life was his family. Archie loved and supported all of them and his greatest joy was the family gatherings, especially at the family lake place. His eyes would gleam each and every time he was with his family.

Archie is survived by his three children, Janice (Steve) Piscitello of Diamond Lake, Wash., Don (Vickie) Hulsizer of Osburn, Idaho, and Vern Hulsizer of Wallace; his grandchildren, Jim (April) Piscitello of Lewiston, Idaho, Andrea (Toley) Clague of Beaverton, Ore., Don (Mandalyn) Hulsizer of Hoffman Estates, Ill., and Gina (Rob) Strobel of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; his great-grandchildren, Rylee and Ethan Scott, Payton Piscitello, Kellen and Silas Clague, Rylee and Paul Strobel and Everleigh and Emerson Hulsizer. Archie was preceded in death by his father, Archie D. (when Archie was two months old); his mother, Stella (Art Robar) and the love of his life and beloved wife, LoRayne Hulsizer.

A celebration of Archie’s life will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, April 27, 2018, at the United Church of Christ Congregational in Wallace, with the Rev. Alice Ling officiating. A reception will be held in the Church Fellowship Hall following services.

The family suggests that memorials may be made to the United Church of Christ Congregational, 408 Cedar St., Wallace, Idaho 83873.

One may sign Archie’s online guest book at www.shoshonefuneralservice.com

Archie’s final message to all family and friends is as follows: “I would like everyone, especially my family, to celebrate my life for what it was, knowing that it was full, long, blessed and busy with a wonderful loving and caring family, and not to grieve over me as at last, I will be with my LoRayne. I want everyone to be happy and to enjoy their lives to the fullest, you know where I am and I’m happy to be there.”

Shoshone Funeral Services and Crematory Kellogg, Idaho, is entrusted with service arrangements.