Apryl Lukan Wallace, 74

Apryl Lukan Wallace, 74, passed away peacefully and gracefully on June 11, 2021, at Kootenai Health in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. Her close family friend, Nicole Syren, was with her in those final hours, offering both comfort and calming reassurance.

Apryl was born Oct. 28, 1946, in Dubuque, Iowa. She was the first child of Barbara (Klett) Lukan and Eldra J. (Kurt) Lukan. She grew up in Byron, Ill., and graduated from Byron High School in 1964.

Apryl was eager to get out and see the world. And that she did, throughout her careers, and life. Raised with a strong work ethnic, her first job was in Rockford, Ill. Next, she found herself in Washington, D.C., where she was at the epicenter of our country's government, the U.S. Capitol Building. She worked on the Senate floor as Senator Robert Byrd's (West Virginia) assistant.

Then, Apryl realized she wanted to travel and felt the perfect way to do that was to fly as an airline hostess for United Airlines. This was at the height of the "glamour days" of Air Travel. She was one of a select few chosen to be a United stewardess, based out of Washington D.C.

It was during this time she met her first husband, Alan Pittman, a Navy man, who would also join United as a pilot for several years. Apryl and Alan had two children, Kelly and Jeff. During her marriage, they lived in the Midwest, Texas, Southern California and Hawaii. Although they divorced, Apryl always spoke of Alan with great respect for his service to our country, his intelligence, and character.

Apryl worked in a prestigious law firm in the San Diego area. At this time, she developed breast cancer, but received wonderful treatment at the Scripps Clinic. True to her work ethic, she kept right on working and pressing forward.

She ended up back in Washington D.C. where even the years away hadn't dampened her interest in government. This time, she worked on the “House side" for Rep. J.J. Pickle from Texas. Rep. Pickle served on the powerful Ways and Means Committee. Apryl attended many hearings on the Hill, and even got to know the Chairman of Ways and Means, Rep. Dan Rostenkowski of Illinois.

During this time, Apryl met and married her second husband, a retired Marine Corps man, Maurice Roesch. Dr. Roesch was a scientist who became a White House advisor during Ronald Reagan's presidency. Apryl attended many events and social gatherings during this time, including dinners at the White House and travels to distant places. While they eventually divorced, again Apryl spoke so highly of Dr. Roesch, and his service to our country.

Apryl was constantly evolving in her career, and in her life. She stayed motivated and engaged in life, and never languished in sorrow, or “let moss grow" as they say. It was at this time that Apryl, in her midlife, made the decision to go to nursing school. She found a program in Seattle where she obtained her R.N. degree. Apryl worked as a traveling nurse in both California and Nevada. She worked in small, rural hospitals and worked at SHU (special housing unit) at Salinas Valley Prison.

In addition, she somehow found time to run a bed and breakfast in Orcas Island, Wash., and became a tour guide for Globus Travel Services. One of her favorite things was taking tourists from the East Coast, and showing them all the sights of San Francisco. And of course she made sure to take them to the legendary Tadish Grill, one of her favorite restaurants.

In 2005, Apryl made one of the most eventful moves and changes in her life. She relocated to Idaho. Her first condo was in Hayden, Idaho, which she painstakingly restored and redecorated. Then, in 2008, she bought her townhouse in Coeur d'Alene. She became a business owner in 2010, starting her own housekeeping business. About 10 years later, she was ready to slow down, but just a bit.

In 2021, she sold her home, and was preparing for her next adventure to build a home in southern Idaho, to be closer to Yellowstone.

One word that is truly at the core of Apryl's character was her "activism" and her deep concern for her community, and her country. In 2008, Apryl joined the Kootenai County Republican Women's Group, and was its President for two years.

Apryl's community involvement did not stop there. She turned around her Homeowners Association when she led that group. She read every line of the CC&R's and spoke up for her fellow homeowners who were too hesitant to speak. Her goal was keep things honest, fair and running smoothly. She would not tolerate anything less.

Apryl was deeply committed to Animal Rights. Her beloved dogs, the late Traveler 1 and Traveler 2, were dear to her heart. But her concern for animals extended to the world, and she was a fierce champion of creatures great and small.

Her abiding love and appreciation for the military was always close to her heart. She was the proud daughter of a World War II Navy veteran, trained in Farragut, Idaho. And one cannot underestimate the depth of Apryl's love for her country. She proudly flew her American flag, and had her musical red, white, and blue wreath on her front door. She wrote to the President, and was touched to hear back. She was deeply patriotic.

It is almost unimaginable to realize we will not see Apryl, with her colorful sequined baseball cap, and trademark red hair, walking alongside her beloved Traveler. We will miss her great personality and gracious hospitality, and that wonderful laugh.

Apryl inspired each of us to truly live life to the fullest, and to keep evolving, and having new adventures. She showed us how to be passionate for causes that matter too. We were so lucky to know this amazing, remarkable woman. She was one of a kind.

Apryl was predeceased by her parents Barbara and Eldra Lukan. She is survived by her two children, Kelly and Jeff, and five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Apryl is also survived by her siblings: Andrea Lukan (Dave) Rosol, Mark (Kathy) Lukan, Kurt David Lukan, and Renee Klinger Lukan

The Celebration of Life will take place from 4-6 p.m. on July 7, 2021, at the Coeur d'Alene Resort.

As Apryl was so patriotic, please feel free to wear your favorite flag pins, or red, white and blue.

It is suggested that in lieu of flowers, memorials be sent in Apryl's memory to Wounded Warriors, World Wildlife Fund, or Kootenai Animal Shelter.