Lorraine Arlene Barker Fries

HAMILTON – Lorraine Arlene Barker Fries, 71, of Hamilton passed away Wednesday, March 9, 2016 at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula.  She was born April 6, 1944 in Hamilton the daughter of Robert E. and Ruth M. (Hilgren) Barker.

Lorraine attended school in Hamilton and Darby.  After high school she married Arlan D. Fries.  Arlan & Lorraine fostered several children throughout the years, giving a loving home to children who needed one. Lorraine was an accomplished cook who worked in numerous restaurants in the area before her & Arlan purchased Piney Woods Cafe' in Lolo. They ran the cafe' for several years where they made many friends & Lorraine became known for her huckleberry pancakes, chicken fried steak & many other fantastic dishes before selling it & moving to Arco, ID. After Arlan's death she returned to the valley to be among her family & friends.

Lorraine was a member of the Western Montana Porcelain Artists and the Montana China Painters Association.  Lorraine was loved dearly by her large family & will be missed greatly. We are comforted knowing she is rejoicing in Heaven and is reunited with her loved ones who have gone before her.

Lorraine was preceded in death by her husband Arlan D. Fries; her parents; her son, Michael Fries; and nephews, Nicholas R. Barker and Robert Colley.  Lorraine is survived by her siblings, Ronald E.(Butch) & Joanna Barker of Corvallis, Margaret K. & Gary Mason of Corvallis, Robert E. and Robin Barker of Darby, MT; daughter-in-law, Lori of Florida; aunt, Erma Hilgren Moles of Hamilton; brother-in-law, Paul & Connie Fries of Idaho; grandchildren, Michael Logan, Landon Dee, Jordan Hunter and Morgan Tayler all of Florida; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Services will be held on Thursday, March 17, 2016 at 11:00 A.M. at the Daly-Leach Chapel with Pastor Matthew Leopold officiating.  There will be a pot-luck reception immediately following the services in the funeral home’s community room to be served by Lorraine’s friends and fellow china painters.