Ora Glenn "Skip" Rickey Christensen
Ora Glenn "Skip" Rickey Christensen was born May 29, 1943, to Oral Oliver Rickey and Francis Mae Shafer Rickey in Dillon. He passed away Friday, April 21, 2006, in Kalispell.
His parents divorced when Skip was almost 3, and his mother married Marion Christensen. Skip attended high school in Dillon and finished his formal education as an adult by attaining his GED in Butte.
He loved to work with his hands and gained experience in many vocations. He worked in the mines in Butte; Argenta, Mont.; and Idaho. He farmed and fenced for ranchers in Montana and Idaho. He was an excellent carpenter and loved to work with wood in all ways from constructing art pieces to remodeling projects.
On March 31, 1961, he married Shirley Rowe, and they had three daughters, Melinda Sue, Melissa Gay and Melanie Ann.
On June 27, 1987, he married JoAnn Eslick in Bigfork. Together, they caught the antique bug and did business through in Kalispell antiques market for the past 12 years.
Skip had many interests. He loved music, reading, and gathering knowledge about our world past, present and future. He was a fan of radio-controlled airplanes but claimed to be a better builder than flier.
His favorite companions were his dachshunds, Quinn and Tillie, and they returned his love whole-heartedly. Skip loved fishing and hunting and telling wild stories about the ones that got away, as well as those that didn't. He loved meeting people and could always find common ground for a good visit.
He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Skip is survived by his loving wife, JoAnn, of Bigfork; daughters, Mindy Hunt of Springville, Utah, Melissa Durfey and Carl of American Fork, Utah, and Melanie Mormon and Jeff, stationed in Germany; mother, Francis Christensen, of Dillon; stepfather, Marion Christensen, of Sheridan; brothers and sisters, Chris and Michele Christensen of Townsend, John and Danise Christensen of Fallon, Nev., Joyce and Rick Given of Caldwell, Idaho, Jan Rogers of Butte, Sandy Smith and Clark and Paula Christensen, all of Dillon, and Carlette Rickey, Pat Rickey, Sue Powers and Clifford Rickey, all of Butte; father-in-law, Joe Eslick, of Bigfork; brothers-in-law, Jay and Barbara Eslick of Chinook, and Lee Eslick of Bigfork; 13 grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorial services for Skip were held May 6 in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Bigfork, with Bishop Jon Marshall officiating. Urn burial will take place at a later date.
The family suggests memorial gifts be given to Home Options/Hospice, 175 Commons Loop, Suite 100, Kalispell, MT 59901.
Johnson Mortuary and Crematory is caring for Skip's family.