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Grand Marshals Who Inspire

By Molly Priddy
Wayne and Sue Loeffler will be the grand marshals of the Independence Day parade in Bigfork on July 4. Justin Franz | Flathead Beacon

BIGFORK – The village by the bay has a classic small-town feel. It’s a place where neighbors know each other, where the entire town turns out for championship football games, and where entire lives are lived.

For Wayne and Sue Loeffler, Bigfork represents their own American dreams, a place where they both felt at home, despite not being from it. And, as the Loefflers have demonstrated in their decades in this place, home isn’t just a place you live: it’s a place in which you invest your time and talent, making it better.

The couple, married now for 36 years, will serve as the grand marshals of the Bigfork Fourth of July parade, an honor bestowed upon certain citizens to lead one of the biggest and best parades in the valley.

“We’re overwhelmed with that selection,” Wayne said last week, standing in the Bigfork Fire Hall where he works as the chief. “We’re very appreciative.”

Wayne joined the fire department 30 years ago as a volunteer, working without pay until just six years ago, when he became chief. During his tenure as a volunteer, he worked as a teacher and administrator for Bigfork’s middle school.

Sue had a similar path, making her way to Bigfork more than 40 years ago to teach and coach track and cross country. The couple met, got married, and raised their family here.

“It’s a great place to raise kids,” Wayne said.

Having spent so much time in the community, the couple said they now recognize generations of families they’ve taught, coached, or helped. They put down roots in a new town, and went all in with trying to make it a better place for themselves, their family, their neighbors, and their friends.

Most of their approach to this monumental task is starting early on, influencing and teaching the younger generations. While Sue is known for her championship running pedigree, Wayne also helps with track and field coaching, and now that he is no longer an administrator at the schools, is back on the field after school.

“We try to be as involved in the community as much as we can,” Wayne said.

“This is God’s country,” Sue added.

As for the parade, the couple had little to say about themselves, but more about what a great community Bigfork is, and how much of an honor it was to be selected for such an important occasion.

For them, the Fourth of July is about getting the community together, they said, and celebrating the holiday. And in Bigfork, where the town takes particular pride in its parade, that’s exactly what the Loefflers expect to get.

“There’s no place I’d rather be,” Sue said.

The Bigfork Fourth of July parade starts at 12 p.m., and flows down Grand and Electric avenues. Parking can be tough to find, so plan accordingly.