Erik Rocksund

Erik Paul Rocksund, 55, died peacefully April 20, 2005, at his home north of Columbia Falls after a heroic battle with cancer.

He was born in Oak Park, Ill., on March 27, 1950, to William "Bill" and Erma Mary (Nuss) Rocksund.

Erik's family moved to Whitefish when he was five years old where he attended elementary school and high school. He learned to hunt, fish and farm and to love the outdoors on his family's farm in Whitefish. He played the tuba in the high school band and was a center to be reckoned with on the varsity football team. He was also a member of the Whitefish Ski Team and represented Whitefish in the Junior Nationals. He graduated from Whitefish High School in 1968.

Erik graduated with a bachelor of arts degree with high honors from the University of Montana in Missoula in 1975 with majors in psychology and social work. He took a break during his college years to fish commercially on the Pacific Coast and worked his way through college logging on his family's 170 acres north of Columbia Falls, where he later made his home.

Eric met Jill Beaumont while playing cribbage at the Place for Steaks in Whitefish in 1974. They married on Dec. 20, 1975, and moved to Columbia, Mo. Erik worked as a probation and parole officer with the Missouri Department of Corrections for several years then decided to attend law school. He graduated with a law degree from the University of Missouri in Columbia, Mo., in 1982. He and Jill moved back to the Flathead Valley in 1983 where they raised their family and later divorced.

Gunnar was born Feb. 5, 1984, followed by Tait on Jan. 13, 1986. Erik was a wonderful father who shared his love of hunting, fishing and cutting firewood with his sons. As often as he could make it, he and his family packed up the Middle Fork to their hunting camp to hunt elk, a source of many stories. Soccer was a passion for Erik, and he especially loved watching his boys play. The boys became skilled soccer players through his encouragement and coaching. Erik volunteered for 12 years as a youth coach with the Columbia Falls Youth Soccer Association.

Eric was an active community leader. He was a member of the Kiwanis Club for many years, putting up flags, selling Christmas trees and helping to organize the annual motocross races. Gunnar and Tait could often be seen helping their dad.

Erik was a respected attorney practicing in Columbia Falls in the old bank building for most of his career. Recently, he made his law office in Kalispell, practicing alongside Glen Neier and Mies Faerber. True to his nature, he was always ready for a good legal fight and was passionate about bringing justice to those who had been wronged.

He is preceded in death by his mother Erma and an infant brother, William.

He is survived by his two sons, Gunnar Rocksund and Tait Rocksund, both of Kalispell; his father, William Rocksund and his wife Marcia, of Columbia Falls; three sisters, Christine Rupp and husband Bob, Jillene Sigler and husband Kurt, and Carrie Stringer and husband Shannon; one brother, Norman Rocksund and wife Debbie; three nieces, Haley Sigler, Serena Rocksund and Breanna Rocksund; and four nephews, Talen Stringer, Nathan Sigler, Rich Torgison and Mike Torgison.

Memorial services were held April 25, 2005, at Lawrence Park in Kalispell.

The family suggests memorials be made to Hospice Home Health Options, 175 Commons Loop, Suite 100, Kalispell MT, or the American Cancer Society, 3550 Mullan Road, Suite 105, Missoula MT 59808.

Rebekah Nielsen

Rebekah Jayne Hall Nielsen, 24, of Kalispell, died in Lake County on U.S. Highway 93 the evening of April 21, 2005, from a vehicle accident.

She was born in Kalispell on Sept. 8, 1980, to Gary and Jayne Hall, joining a brother, Matthew Roy Hall. She attended school in Columbia Falls where she played soccer, sang in choir and was very involved with the family businesses, R PLACE Restaurant and Park View Inn Bed and Breakfast.

She worked for Peggy Seaman for several years with the Joyful Noise preschool. She attended college for a short time at Portland Bible Institute. She then worked at Red Robin in the Portland, Ore., area where she met the love of her life, Brandon Nielsen.

Rebekah and Brandon were married July 12, 2003, on the banks of the Swan River with family and friends surrounding them. She worked for a short time with Fairway Mortgage in Columbia Falls until she went full time with her favorite job, being a mother to her children, Elijah Scott and Ella Jayne. Her parenting skills were beyond her years and admired by many. Her duties as a homemaker always took second place to playing with their children, and she loved doing creative things with them.

She was always the center of attention and wouldn't settle for less. She loved camping and had an adventurous spirit. Rebekah loved drag racing with her Dad and made him take the scariest of rides because he hated it. She loved music and dance, and her life's goal was to serve God and have a life-changing effect on young girls. She was happiest spending time with her husband and children, taking Sunday drives and dreaming of things to come.

Rebekah impacted and changed absolutely everyone she came in contact with. She "lived life full," her happiness and laughter was contagious. Her family was a major and very important part of her life.

She is survived by her husband Brandon Nielsen; two children, Elijah Scott and Ella Jayne; her parents, Gary and Jayne Hall, of Columbia Falls; brother Matthew Roy Hall and his wife, Bethany, and their son, Judah Matthew; grandparents Kathleen Price and Doris Hall; Aunt Vickie and husband Clay Turner and their children, Brittany and Jenny Rose; Aunt Brenda and husband Joe Purdy and their son, Zach; her favorite uncle, Doug "Dunk" Hall from Alaska and son Colby and daughter Kristen and her husband, Justin; cousin Chad Hall and wife Katie; cousin Tyson Hall and wife Ailsa; Aunt Vicki Price and daughter Jessica and husband Jeremy and their son Josiah; Brandon's parents Bill and Lori Nielson, and Veronica and Randy Moline; brothers Steve, Mark, Ron and B.J.; and sister Brie. She is also survived by many loving great aunts, uncles, cousins and New Covenant family and friends.

Funeral services were held April 26, 2005, at New Covenant Fellowship Church, in Kalispell.

The family suggests that memorials be made to the Eli and Ella Nielsen education fund at Freedom Bank, P.O. Box 2076, Columbia Falls MT 59912.

Marjorie Absalonson,

Marjorie Maxine Palmerton Absalonson, 82, passed away April 16, 2005, at Immanuel Lutheran Home in Kalispell.

Maxine was born June 30, 1922, in East Glacier to John and Lena (Salois) Morley. She grew up and attended school in Cut Bank. After high school, she attended business school in LaCrosse, Wis. Maxine had a very long career as a tax consultant and accountant.

Maxine married Jack Palmerton in 1945 in Portland. They made their home in Seattle. Jack passed away in 1964.

She married Elmer Absalonson in 1991. They made their home in Kalispell.

Her hobbies included knitting and listening to classical music.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her first husband and her sister, Virginia Moen.

She is survived by her husband Elmer; daughter Susan Palmerton; niece Christine Playstead; nephew Corky Moen; stepdaughter Laurie Cunningham and her husband, Charles; stepson Harold and wife, Judy Absalonson; step grandchildren Michael, Matthew and Elaine Gilman, and Tim and Tamara Absalonson.

Funeral services took place April 20, 2005, at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home.

Ronald Potter

Ronald Lee Potter, 61, of Hot Springs, died at his home April 7, 2005, after a long illness.

He was born May 27, 1943, in Plentywood, the son of Clyde and Florence (Flemming) Potter.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, William and Raymond Potter and Oroville Bedwell; two sisters, Eveyln Fishell and Frances Tande; and a son, David Burke Potter.

He is survived by his loving wife, Louise; two sons, Ronald C. Potter and his wife, Sheri, of Spokane, Wash., and Edward L. Potter, of Beaverton, Ore.; a daughter, Lori Jones and her husband, Doug, of Columbia Falls; four sisters, Mary Rogers, of Great Falls, Helen Rackley, of Henderson, Ky., and Betty Miller and Ruth Kline, both of Hot Springs; four special grandchildren, Brandon and Daniel Jones and Corey and Jessica Potter; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Cremation has taken place, and a memorial service was held April 12, 2005, at the Hot Springs Senior Center.

Marie Smith

Marie E. Smith, 86, passed away April 23, 2005, at Brendan House in Kalispell.

Marie was born July 1, 1918, in Montrose, Colo., to Kenneth K. and Anna M. Langfelt Oliver. She was raised in Billings and Hardin where she attended schools.

Marie married William J. Gress on April 28, 1934, in Hardin. He passed away in 1971. In April 1981, Marie married William A. Smith. He passed away in 1997.

She worked as a certified nurse's assistant at Warm Springs and Immanuel Lutheran Home. Marie also worked at the Veterans Home in Columbia Falls for several years. Marie was an excellent cook and had also worked at the Ol' River Bridge Inn as a cook for a while.

She loved painting, writing, reading, dancing and playing the violin. She will be truly missed by everyone who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two husbands; one daughter, Jeanne Marie, at the age of six; and one brother, Andrew Oliver.

Marie is survived by her children, James A. Gress; William L. and his wife, Margery Gress; Benjamin I. Gress; Lilli Ann and her husband, Ronald Martin; Betty Lou (Elizabeth) Armstrong; one half brother; 16 grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; and one great great grandchild.

Memorial services took place April 27, 2005, at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home.