Corinne Johnke Squires

Corinne Johnke Squires of Great Falls passed away at Peace Hospice after a fall at her home.

She was born on August 5, 1933, at Flatwillow, MT to William and Evalene (Hawkins) Johnke. They later moved to a dairy farm near Fairfield. She and her twin sister, Jeannine, were just 6 when they and their 8 siblings lost their mother after a difficult childbirth. She had a profound memory of her baby brother, Richie, coming home without their mother. He went to live with an aunt in California. They were not reunited until they were adults.

Corinne attended school at Greenfield and graduated from Fairfield High School. She married the love of her life, Larry Squires, in 1952. They had three children, Sharalee, Susan, and William.

She worked at First National Bank for 35 years as a teller and escrow officer. She was a member of the National Association of Women in Banking and Great Falls Business and Professional Women’s Group. She also played on the bank’s softball team.

In 1978, Corrine lost her husband in a racing accident at the Great Falls Speedway. She was never the same after that. In 1979, she moved to Great Falls from Ulm. She took up golfing and walking to fill her time. She was a member of Anaconda Hills and Eagle Falls Golf League where she was treasurer and handicap chairman. She made a hole-in-one a couple of times. She took some of her grandkids golfing for the first time, and they still enjoy golfing today. Corinne was a member of Volk Walking Club of America. She and her friend, Maggie, walked in the Governors’ Cup for many years. They also did the Bloomsday Walk in Spokane. She walked in many of the Ice Breakers throughout the years and mostly did well for her age group. She enjoyed walking on the River’s Edge Trail. She attended many of her grandkids’ sporting events including hockey, basketball, football, and track.

After her retirement, she enjoyed reading and putting jigsaw puzzles together. She volunteered at Benefis Hospital in the Education and Foundation Department for over twenty years, logging in excess of 13,000 hours. She was very proud of that and was sad when she had to stop because of Covid and her health. She also donated over 12 gallons of blood over her lifetime. She had a strong work ethic and was rather independent. She was living alone up until the time of her passing. She was still managing her duplex with some help from Sharry and Jim who lived next door.

She is survived by her children, Sharalee (Jimmy) DeMuth of Great Falls, Susan (Ross) Kesler of Choteau, and Bill (Beckie) Squires of Helena; grandchildren, Jim (Heather) DeMuth, Mark (Becca) DeMuth, Kristy (Paul) Leach, Cory (Renee) Kesler, Kyle (Carly) Kesler, Craig (Tegan) Kesler, Allison (Zach) Franz, and Jason Squires; great-grandchildren, Jacob, Eli, and Henry DeMuth, Sydney and Isabella DeMuth, Gavin, Austin, Mikey and Tyler Leach, Kaitlyn and Colter Kesler, Connor and Ashlynn Kesler, Vera, Quinn, and Brooks Kesler, and Lily and Nora Franz. She was proud of them all but couldn’t always keep them straight! She is also survived by her twin sister, Jeannine (Dick) Bronson, brother, Dale (Alice) Johnke, and sister-in-law, Marion (Punky) Squires; plus many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her father’s second wife, Bertha; her husband, Larry; sisters, Phyllis (Herb) Bremer, Evelyn (Gary) Holm, Shirley (Wiley) Welch, Rozella (Don) Talseth, Gwen (Ed) Carnes; brothers, Farrel and Richard Johnke; in-laws, Merrill and Tess Squires, Fayetta (Don) Donnelly, Aucille Blamey, Adrienne Squires; nephews, Mike and Jeff Winterrowd, Richard Donnelly, Robbie Squires, Johnny Bremer, Bruce Johnke, Bill Welch, Rick Holm; niece, Patty Winterrowd; and other loved ones.

Corinne will be missed by her family. She is now at peace, dancing with the love of her life, our dad, to her favorite song, “Last Date.” At her request, no service is planned at this time. Memorials may be made to the River’s Edge Trail in Great Falls or to a charity of your choice. Cremation has taken place under the direction of Schnider Funeral Home.