Rosemary Aker Hillstead, 89
Rosemary Aker Hillstead, 89, passed away peacefully at her home in Sun Lakes, Arizona, on Nov. 16, 2023, with her husband, Joel Hillstead, at her side.
She was born on June 3, 1934, to Forest and Ethel Aker in Kalispell. She attended elementary school in Kalispell and graduated from Flathead County High School in 1952. She loved school and participated in numerous school activities with her many friends and who she maintained those friendships throughout her life.
Upon graduating from high school, she attended the University of Montana in Missoula, majoring in elementary education. She worked the summers at the family business, Akers Grocery in downtown Kalispell. She drove the delivery truck and her brother Charles, took the groceries to the door.
She married Joel Dean Hillstead on Sept. 25,1955, in Kalispell, and together they returned to the University to complete their education. Upon graduating from college with a degree in elementary education, she began her teaching career which she had a passion for. Joel’s job required many moves for the family throughout the West, living in seven different states and 32 homes. She never had a problem getting a teaching job during that time and all her school principals appreciated her hard work and love for the children.
Rosemary and Joel returned to Kalispell in 1976, to start a family business of their own alongside brother-in-law and sister, Luther and Jean French. Rosemary changed her career path at that time from teaching, to running the office for Hillstead’s Department Store.
She was a convert to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Upon retirement from their business, they served a church mission in Cape Town, South Africa, which Rosemary truly loved. It is was such a great experience that they decided to serve a second Mission in Las Vegas, Nevada.
She is survived by her husband of 68 years, Joel; daughter, Vicki Kay (Brad) Walterskirchen of Kalispell; Joel Bryan (Joan) Hillstead of Panama City Beach, Florida; and Forest Cole (Cathy) Hillstead of Salt Lake City; her beloved 13 grandchildren, and 25 great-grandchildren, with one more on the way.
She was very close to her grandchildren and felt blessed that they all lived nearby in their childhood so that she could attend all the activities and performances. She always bragged about how seven of the 13 grandkids all graduated from Flathead High School as she did.
She is also survived by her brother, Charles (Edwina) Aker of Polson; and sister, Katy (Bob) Sommons of Zionsville, Pennsylvania; brothers-in-law, Bill Hillstead of Olympia, Washinton; and Luther French of Salt Lake City, along with numerous nieces and nephews of whom she loved dearly.
Rosemary will always be remembered by the way she lived her life, as being a very kind, gentle and friendly individual to all she met and touched, as well as a loving and devoted spouse, mother and grandmother.
A celebration of Rosemary’s life will take place this summer in Kalispell.