Brian Lee Grosswiler, 72

It is with the greatest of sadness that we share the news of Brian, our "warrior," passing on Jan. 27, 2025, in Kalispell. With family surrounding his bedside, he lay peaceful and pain free from his long fight with Stage IV metastasized lung cancer.

Brian was born on Jan. 18, 1953, the first son of Richard and Loretta Grosswiler. Shortly after, his two brothers and a sister completed the family. They all grew up discovering they were part of a very large loving Flathead Valley family of grandparents, aunts, uncles and lots of cousins. He along with his brothers and their loving Uncle Dave, moved irrigation pipe on the farm and baled hay, learning what hard work was, but still were able to squeeze in some basketball in the barn. 

Brian attended all local schools and graduated with the Flathead High School Class of 1971. He was very active in each sport of the season, having participated in the winning of State Championships in basketball and football, lettering in track and field and playing Babe Ruth baseball. Many classmates and team members are still lifelong friends. He played Saxophone in the school band, but playing the drums with his best school chums in their band, "The Living Underage" he enjoyed most!

After graduation, Brian signed up with a few of his closest buddies and joined the U.S. Navy. During his service he chose to become a Corpsman, serving both States side at San Diego Balboa Naval Hospital and overseas at the Naval Base Hospital in Guam. Returning to the States, Brian received his honorable discharge and headed home to family and the Flathead Valley.

Once, reacclimated to civilian life, Brian accepted a position with Pepsi-Cola of Kalispell as a salesman/route driver for 10 years. Brian’s position provided him to meet and make many new friends, and Micki his wife of 46 years.

Brian decided he was ready to pursue something new that he could build a career in. A golf magazine advertisement for the San Diego Golf Academy in Rancho Santa Fe, California caught his eye. He was accepted immediately, and he and Micki were on their way to California.

Upon graduation from the Golf Academy, Brian interviewed for an assistant position with Tucson Country Club, in Tucson, Arizona. Brian accepted the position and he and Micki were heading to Tucson. He was with Tucson Country Club for five years, where he completed his PGA levels of education to become a class "A" PGA member. During their time in Tucson, Brian became a dad with the long-awaited birth of their son, Cody Richard that brought a new wonderful chapter to their lives. Barely a year passed, when an opportunity for Brian to accept a position with Apache Wells Country Club, in Mesa, Arizona as their director of golf/head golf professional was offered. Belongings were packed and off to Mesa. During Brian’s employment with Apache Wells, their second son, Douglas Lee joined the family. His sons were his pride and joy. He said many times how blessed and proud he was of how they have grown into such good young men. Micki couldn’t agree more she would tell him. 

Brian’s career and reputation of being a golf professional with integrity, and a true love of the game of golf was inspiring to all and especially his boys. He worked just shy of ten years at Apache Wells, when he accepted the head golf professional with Alta Mesa Country Club located in his immediate home community. After two years with the Alta Mesa Club, Brian and Micki decided they wanted to return to Montana to be with their aging parents and raise their boys. 

Once settled back in Kalispell, Brian entered the real estate business and was also working for the Montana State Revenue Department. During this time, "golf" never left his mind. He was contacted by the GM of Mission Mountain Golf Course in Ronan, inquiring if he would be interested in being their general manager/head golf professional for Mission Mountain. Brian was employed with Mission Mountain from 2011-2016.

In 2016 the life of the Mission Mountain Golf Course was in limbo and Brian and Micki made plans to move back to Kalispell. It was on their drive from Ronan to Kalispell that Brian received a phone call from Sportsman asking if he was interested in managing their golf department.

Brian joined the team at Sportsman Ski Haus and Golf in 2016 as the first PGA member to be recognized and bring accreditation to the Sportsman retail store. Brian’s PGA affiliation made it possible for the Sportsman Store(s) to bring in the most recognized golf merchandise, usually offered only at golf courses, country clubs and golf resorts. Brian worked with the team at Sportsman up and till just the week prior to his passing. Like I have said so many times… he was our "warrior." A man whose unwavering strength, integrity, loyalty, kindness, love of family and friends, and he was truly humble. We love you Brian/Dad.

Brian is survived by his wife, Micki, sons, Cody Richard and wife Katie, and Douglas, brothers, Scott and wife Carol, Joe and wife Dawn, sister Lonita and husband Jim Huston, along with aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and great friends.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, parents, son Kevin, and too many wonderful aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. 

Please join us for a celebration of life from 1-4 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 8, at Buffalo Hills Golf Course with full Navy honor guard and local VFW firing detail at 2 p.m.