Francine Cutler

Francine Cutler, longtime Endicott resident, passed away Friday, Feb. 5, 2021, at the Spokane Hospice House. She was 83. A memorial service will be Tuesday, Feb. 16, at 1 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Endicott. Family burial will follow at the Endicott Cemetery.

Fran was born Dec. 10, 1937, in Clovis, New Mexico, to Leslie and Alene Stockton Jackson.

She spent her youth as a preacher's kid and lived in Dos Palos, Calif., Colton, Ore., and Clarkston, Wash., before graduating from North Central High School in Spokane. She attended Aurora College in Aurora, Illinois, and Eastern Washington State College in Cheney where she received her teaching certificate.

Fran taught high school English in Medical Lake, junior high school in Lancaster, Calif., and Spokane, Wash., before finding her true passion teaching first and second graders in Lacrosse and Endicott, Wash. She taught several generations of students how to read and loved every minute. Francine attended the NASA Workshop for Elementary Science Teachers, was awarded the Christa McAuliffe Award for Excellence in Education in 1991, and took a group of students to tour Washington D.C. After retiring from teaching, she continued to substitute teach in Whitman County until she moved to Spokane.

Francine married Richard Cutler on Dec.1, 1962. They made their home and raised their children in Endicott and St. John. Richard passed away in 2016. Fran moved to Touchmark in Spokane following his death.

While in college, Francine worked for a baker and learned her cake decorating skills. She made and decorated wedding and birthday cakes for friends and family through the years. She served on the Whitman County Park Board and Trinity Lutheran Church Board. She was an avid quilter and enjoyed photography.

In addition to her husband, Francine was preceded in death by her parents, Leslie and Alene Jackson, and her brother, E.S. Jackson.

Fran is survived by her children, Elizabeth (Rick) Lally of Valleyford, Wash., Becky (Joe) St. John of Tekoa, Wash., and Jeff (Sheri) Cutler of Viola, Idaho; her grandchildren Erin Lally (Donovan Suko) of Seeley Lake, Mont., Scott St. John (Janae) of Asotin, Wash., Brenna St. John of Tekoa, Wash., Hannah Lally (Donnie Frazee) of Reed Point, Mont., and Brad Cutler of Miles City, Mont .; and four great-grandchildren and numerous nieces.

On-line guest book is at http://www.bruning-funeralhome.com

Bruning Funeral Home of Colfax is in charge of the arrangements.