Justine Gail (Hughes) Kuschel

Justine Gail (Hughes) Kuschel

Mar. 14, 1919 - Jan. 18, 2017

Justine was born to Lawton P. Palmer and May Christine (Rose) Hughes on March 14, 1919, in Willow Bar Township, Oklahoma.

Justine’s mother died giving birth to her younger sister, Christine Palmer. Justine was adopted at the age of 3 years by her maiden aunt Carrie Rose (Bissell); then, at the age of 4 years, by her aunt Charlotte D. (Rose) Hughes and Herbert Hughes of Cassia County, Idaho.

The family moved to Orchard Homes in Missoula, when Herbert took a position with the American Crystal Sugar Company. Justine graduated from Missoula County High School, and attended what was then Montana State University. She transferred to what was then Montana State College in Bozeman, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Fine Arts.

While attending Bozeman, over Thanksgiving break, she met Paul W. Kuschel, Jr., from Great Falls. He proposed on their first date, and she accepted. They married on September 29, 1941, and were nearly inseparable until Bill’s passing in 2006.

Bill and Justine moved to Cambridge, Massachusetts, where Bill received a degree from Harvard Business School. Bill was drafted into the U.S. Army. While Bill was serving overseas, Justine lived with her in laws on the family farm near Warner, Alberta, Canada. When Bill returned home, the couple lived on the farm for nine years, managing the family farms and hotels in Warner and Waterton-Glacier Parks.

Blessed with two children, the couple made their home at Bear Dance, south of Bigfork, Montana, in 1955. To better care for Justine’s elderly mother, and to manage their newly-acquired business, The Music Center, the family moved to Missoula in 1959.

Justine was involved in many activities, including Eastern Star, Daughters of the American Revolution, and Republican Women. Books from her extensive reference library were well worn, reflecting her love of life-long learning and having interesting conversations. Believing that “intelligent and creative people are never bored, “ she mastered all things she attempted–including water color painting, writing poetry, playing classical violin and piano, sewing, mushroom hunting, bird watching, genealogy, and exotic cooking. She was constantly adapting and adjusting, and never prepared the same meal twice. Friends and family always looked forward to annually receiving her original Christmas card.

She is survived by her son Richard Hughes Kuschel (Christine), and her daughter Gailleigh (Kuschel) Meis (Philip); Gailleigh and Philip’s children Christine Bishop, Armon (Jennifer), and Suzanne (Levi) Kelsey, several great-grandchildren, and a great-great grandchild.

No memorial service is planned. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice.