Eunice Barbra (Olson) Erickson, 82

Eunice Barbra (Olson) Erickson of Kalispell “went to be with her Lord” on March 16, 2012, surrounded by family and friends. She was 82.

She was born on May 24, 1929, in Kevin, to Mr. and Mrs. Prittchard, then adopted by Leo and Sybil Olson at birth. She was raised in Kevin on a dairy farm where they delivered milk from a wagon.

She married Kenneth Erickson on Sept. 4, 1950, and lived on a sheep ranch west of Kevin until the mid-1950s, when they moved to the town of Kevin and raised five children, then moved to Kalispell in the summer of 1974.

After the passing of her husband, Kenneth, she moved to Twin Falls, Idaho, where she got involved in the Head Start Program. She moved back to Kalispell and met and married Clarence Tipton. They later divorced but remained close friends.

Eunice owned and operated a cafe in Kevin, and worked and managed numerous food service establishments, including schools, hospitals and restaurants. She was involved in various community activities, including Moose Lodge, Elks Club, Head Start, Toys For Tots Marine Corps League, Lions Club, Jaycees Coats For Kids, and the Food Bank.

Eunice loved to cook and bake. She was famous for her Parker House rolls and “musty” cinnamon rolls (must have another one). She enjoyed meeting her many friends at Sykes’ for coffee. She had an open door of love for family, friends and all her grandchildren and extended grandchildren until the day of her passing.

Eunice is survived by her five children, daughters Fay and Bud Klepper of Denver, and Carleen Erickson, and Leona and Gene King, all of Twin Falls, Idaho, and sons Delmer Erickson of Kalispell, and Irving and Robin Erickson of Columbia Falls; extended daughter, Mary Jane Henson Sirucek; 16 grandchildren; 38 great-grandchildren; and numerous loved family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and both husbands.

Eunice lived a full and happy life. She was a much loved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and mentor where her legacy will continue.

Memorials are suggested to Toys for Tots, St. Jude’s; the March of Dimes and Mooseheart.

A memorial service and life celebration will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. on Thursday, March 22, at the Moose Lodge in Evergreen.

A second memorial service will be held in Shelby this summer at a later date to be announced.