Lucinda Lautenschlager

Lucinda Rae Lautenschlager passed away Friday, October 13th, 2023, at her family's home on their ranch near Endicott, Washington. She was 30 years old.

Lucy was born February 6th, 1993, in Colfax, Washington, to Carl & Jodi Lautenschlager. She was their second born, after older brother Cody Lautenschlager and followed by the youngest, her sister Katy Lautenschlager.

Lucy was always mischievous as a child, and loved playing and squabbling with her siblings. She was a relentless lover of the color blue, dolphins and Tweety Bird as a kid. Lucy held a strong curiosity and interest in all things forensic science, and could often be found watching shows like "Forensic Files", "Law & Order: SVU", or other mystery type shows instead of cartoons as she grew up. We always thought, if not banking or accounting, she'd be a forensic scientist or something related to detective work someday. She loved reading and read every single "Nancy Drew" book she could find and get her hands on. She never outgrew always wearing blue, a preference that runs strong in the family. She loved to bake, clean, organize, and count her money as a kid - which created no surprise when she began her career in banking at just 15 years old, when she started working part-time at the local family bank in St. John, Washington. She would continue to work at Lamont Bank of St. John as much as she could throughout the rest of her high school and college years. She loved visiting with the locals who came into the bank during her time there, and cherished the community she was a part of.

She was involved in many activities throughout her childhood in her hometown communities of Endicott and St. John, Washington. She attended elementary and middle school in Endicott, where she played t-ball, and then basketball, cheerleading, and volleyball as she became of age. She took dance classes in elementary, showed steers in 4-H in elementary and FFA in high school at the local Palouse Empire Fair, and never missed an opportunity to volunteer at any local event or help with running concession stands or stats keeping for the other sporting events she wasn't already involved with.

She attended St. John-Endicott High School from 2007 through her graduation year of 2011. There, she participated in several activities in our community, as well, including basketball, volleyball, Future Business Leaders of America, and FFA. She enjoyed attending events such as the state FBLA convention to compete in academic and business categories, judging animals alongside her fellow FFA student members at local and state fairs, and attending the National FFA Convention during her high school years. She was recognized as a member of the National Honor Society during those years, also. She was smart as a whip, took her studies very seriously, and could often be found helping others with their homework assignments. She maintained a straight 'A' average throughout her entire school career. She often reminded her siblings that she was "the smart one" and could even sometimes be found volunteering to do their homework for them.

Her studies led her to attend college at Spokane Falls Community College, where she earned her degree in Small Business Management, with an emphasis in finance and accounting. She loved living in Spokane the few years she was up there before moving to Pullman for a job at WSECU. After her years working there in Pullman, she also worked in the Farm Service Agency office in Colfax, as a dental assistant in Colfax, as a CPA nurse aid at St. John Community Pride, and on the team at the Whitman County Gazette's office. Between and throughout her various jobs and career ventures, she always also worked as an administrative assistant with her family ranch business to do the record keeping, digital data entry, registration paperwork, and other office tasks for their registered Red Angus cattle, working frequently with the Red Angus Association on her family ranch's behalf. She was the "numbers" girl - and would always amaze everyone with how well she could recall and handle any data or number-related job. She was just getting ready to move up to Spokane again with a new friend, and she was so excited for a new chapter ahead.

Lucy will forever be loved and missed by her family, loved ones, and the community members whose lives she impacted in a positive way throughout her all too short 30 years here in this life on earth. We now pray for her soul to be at peace and in God's hands, and that she may find true freedom from all earthly ailments and hardships, in Heaven with her Creator.

Lucy is survived by her parents, Carl and Jodi Lautenschlager, of Endicott, Wash., her brother, sister-in-law, and nephew, Cody, Kaysha, and Kayden Lautenschlager, of St. John, Wash., and her sister, Katy Lautenschlager of Fort Lauderdale, Flor. She is also survived by her aunts and uncles (Keith & Loretta Paulson, Ron & Carol Newton, Scott Lautenschlager, Keith & Leann Hooper) along with many cousins, and additional friends and loved ones.

A nonprofit, "Rae of Change: Lucy's Legacy", is being set up in her honor to help raise more awareness (starting at a local level) to the dangers, havoc, and tragedy that comes with the mass drug and opioid epidemic, of which Lucy heart-breakingly fell victim to. In lieu of flowers, for those feeling called to donate, visit raeofchange.org to donate online, or send donations to Rae of Change: Lucy's Legacy, 1251 Cutler-Lautenschlager Rd, Endicott, WA 99125.

We, Lucy's family, hope that by sharing her story - all her vibrantness, smart-aleck jokester personality, and great potential, yet to be fully recognized... a life cut far too short - will help prevent others from making the same mistakes she did at a devastatingly young age. Our hearts are broken knowing that, despite our greatest efforts, we could not save our daughter, sister, family member and friend to many. We pray that through this darkest time, Lucy's life can be a powerful reminder to all that life is short, it can all end in the blink of an eye, and we mustn't take our time here or loved ones for granted.

May your struggles be done, your pain gone, and may you find peace and happiness, Lucy. That's all we have ever hoped and prayed for you - we just wish it could've been here with us on this side of Heaven. We love you, and we already miss you immeasurably. Give some hugs to all the family and your grandparents in Heaven for us - help the grandmas with their gardens, hash out numbers and banking with Grandpa Dick, finally get to meet and chat about cattle with Grandpa Elmer, play a mean game of marbles with Grandma Margie, and bake some cookies with Grandma Renata.

Rest in Peace, Lucinda Rae.

A graveside service will be held on Friday, October 20, 2023 at the Endicott Cemetery at 10:30 AM followed by a celebration of life at 12:00 PM at the St. John Community Building. People are encouraged to bring their favorite dish as there will be a reception to follow.

Corbeill Funeral Home in Colfax, WA is caring for the family. On-line condolences may be made at http://www.corbeillfuneralhomes.com