Monica Eisenzimer, 60
It is with the deepest sadness that we announce the passing of Monica Rae Eisenzimer, 60. She passed away suddenly and peacefully at her home in Columbia Falls on the morning of Jan. 31, 2024, leaving an irreplaceable void in our hearts.
Monica was born to Mark and Phyllis Eisenzimer in Great Falls on May 20, 1963. Her parents moved to Columbia Falls to establish roots after her brother Phillip was born. Throughout her life, Monica's caring and compassionate nature touched the lives of many.
She spent most of her school years in Columbia Falls, graduating from CFHS in 1981. As someone who always cared about honoring our U.S. veterans, one of her proudest moments was starting the annual Veteran’s Day Assembly at Columbia Falls High School in 1979.
After High School, Monica moved to Missoula to attend the University of Montana. She pivoted her plans when she found a way to turn her passion for helping people into a career as a barber and graduated from Barber College in Missoula. During this time, she met the father of her beloved children, Michael Applegate. Though they later divorced they shared several great years.
While working and raising her kids in Columbia Falls, Monica was involved in the local Chamber and annual Heritage Days festivities. Her love for learning and technology prompted her to sell her barber shop, The Sophisticut, in 2001 to work with computers.
She ultimately devoted her time and energy for the next 20-plus years as a public employee in the Clerk and Recorder’s Department of Flathead County.
During her years as Flathead County’s elections administrator, she enjoyed working with her colleagues, the elected officials, and voters of Flathead County while upholding the integrity of the voting process, a responsibility she took very seriously. In true Monica fashion, she made several friends along the way and always enjoyed the wonderful people who were her election judges — many of whom returned every year.
Monica enjoyed creating memories with her kids, Marcus and Ashley, as often as she could. She loved being near family, and spent many of her weekends trying new recipes, helping her parents with their flower and rose gardens and trips to town with her mom. She spent as many Sundays as she could watching Nascar races with her dad and as a dedicated N.Y. Jets fan, she never missed a game.
She retired from the county in August 2023 and although her retirement was very short, it was so well-earned and deserved. Monica was looking forward to spending this summer with her hands in the garden dirt, surrounded by flowers, animals, her loved ones, and the limitless Montana summer sky.
Preceding her in death are her grandparents, Phil and Sylvia Sustello of Bigfork, and Leo and Martha Eisenzimer of Simms; uncles Douglas and Raymond Eisenzimer; and cousin Ryan Eisenzimer.
She is survived by her parents Mark and Phyllis Eisenzimer of Bigfork; her children Ashley Applegate (Ryan) of Salt Lake City, Marcus Applegate and grandson Austin of Kalispell; brother Phillip Eisenzimer (Susie); niece Stephanie Krueger (Trent); and nephew Chase Eisenzimer (Makenna), all of Kalispell.
She forever lives on in the lives of her children, grandson, nieces and nephews, extended family, and countless friends and colleagues. We will miss cooking together, her love of music, sunsets, animals and flowers, her caring wit, and her contagious laughter beyond belief.
Please join us on Feb. 24 to celebrate Monica’s life at the Kalispell Eagles Club Ballroom at 1 p.m., with a luncheon reception immediately following.
Monica Eisenzimer