Anne Marie Lish

Anne Marie Lish was born on July 8, 1953, to Carl and Charlotte Birkholm, of Denmark and Pennsylvania, in the small California town of Santa Barbara. A few years later, her little brother Carl Jr. was born, and the two shared an unbreakable sibling bond.

Anne Marie spent her early years in Solvang, California, helping her parents in the family bakery her father founded in 1951. At 19, she met the love of her life, Deputy David Lish. At 20, she married him, embracing the challenging yet rewarding role of stepmother to his two daughters, Tammy and Robbie.

In the early years of their marriage, David took a job as a cowboy in Montana, and their close friends, Curt and Bonnie Goller, helped them make the move. Bonnie and Anne Marie became more than friends—they became sisters. After a few years in Big Sky Country, Anne Marie and David returned to California, eager to expand their family. Anne Marie gave birth to her two sons, Michael in 1979 and Daniel in 1981, completing their family of six.

In 1988, the Lish family moved to Washington, first settling in Medical Lake before finding their forever home in the woods south of Spokane. Anne Marie cherished her role as a homemaker, managing the daily life of her household with love and dedication.

She had a deep love for travel, whether exploring the backcountry of Montana on horseback, admiring the architecture of Copenhagen, taking in the lush green hills of Ireland, or relaxing on the white sand beaches of Mexico.

In 1998, Anne Marie and David, with the help of their dear friend Curt Goller, founded D. Lish’s Hamburgers. Their sons, Michael and Daniel, worked alongside them, making it a true family endeavor.

Tragedy struck in 2008 when David passed away after an ATV accident, but Anne Marie, with incredible strength and resilience, carried on. Michael stepped up to run the family business, while Anne Marie continued to bring warmth and joy to those around her. She found happiness in her bowling league, affectionately calling her teammates her “Bowling Girls,” and enjoyed staying active with her Core-Fit community, where she built lasting friendships. She remained dedicated to her health, running three to four miles a day and cherishing her gym time.

In 2014, Anne Marie found love again with Sam Lerch, a rare and beautiful second chapter in her life.

In 2024, after much thought, she made the difficult decision to sell the beloved restaurant she and David built together. That same year, she was diagnosed with Ataxia, a battle she faced with grace and an unwavering positive spirit.

On the morning of March 7, 2025, Anne Marie passed away peacefully in the home of her son, Daniel, surrounded by family and holding the hand of her beloved brother, Carl.

Anne Marie was a devoted mother, sister, grandmother, and friend. She was the proud grandmother of 10 and great-grandmother of 5, a testament to the love and legacy she leaves behind.

She will be deeply missed but forever remembered for her kindness, strength, and the joy she brought to so many.