Esther Bocksnick

Esther Rose Bocksnick was born February 6, 1922 in Malta, Montana to Gustav and Christine Rose.  The family moved around the state until settling in Valley View. She attended school at the Reservoir School House that required walking up and over a hill for a distance of at least 3 miles and graduated from Polson High School in 1941.  She married Henry Bocksnick on August 1, 1942 at Fort Lewis, Washington before Hank was shipped overseas for 39 months serving with the army in the Phillipines.

They lived near the Pablo Reservoir while Hank worked on construction of Kerr Dam. Their first child was born in 1947 followed by 4 more in quick succession. They bought a house in Pablo and lived there for several years before buying a farm west of Pablo and worked the farm until retirement. They were kept busy raising chickens, hogs, beef cattle, grain and hay. Mom worked hard on the farm with a large garden providing vegetables for the family and buying fruit she preserved. She had an egg route for many years furnishing fresh farm eggs to many town residents.  Her daughters were clothed with many garments that Esther sewed in their youth.

Mom’s favorite things in life were family and friends.  She liked nothing more than having family around her, cooking and baking and sharing with others. As the children married and provided her with grandchildren she really enjoyed the time spent with them.  Playing cards with family and friends and going dancing with her “mine Henry” were some of her favorite things to do. She was loved and appreciated by a large extended family and many friends who always remarked on her kindness and smile. She was known for writing wonderful letters.

Esther died on August 8, 2017 after a fairly quick decline in health.  She was preceded in death by her husband Henry of 51 years, her parents and her siblings Olga Wagner, Carl Rose, Oscar Rose, Elof Rose, Viola Rutherford, Verner Rose and Ruthie Harris. She was also preceded in death by son-in-law Russell Sherman and granddaughter Jami Sherman.

Esther is survived by her children Roberta Laird (Art) of Erie, Pa, Connie Conklin (Lou) of Ronan, Ronald Bocksnick of Pablo, Karen Hines (Max) of Holyoke, Co., and Joan Sherman of Ronan.  Grandchildren Tracy Couse, Krista Baginski, Jonna Needham of Erie,  Pa.,  Sue DeVoe of Kalispell, Verna Conklin of Iowa, Lisa Conklin of Missoula, Ernie Conklin of Ronan, Ronirae and Travis Bocksnick of Idaho, Monte Hines of Kansas, Levi Hines of Washington, Toni Taylor, Tomi Clairmont, Cody Sherman of Ronan, and Josi Brosam of Dillon.  She is also survived by 19 great grandchildren.

A celebration of Esther’s life will be on Saturday August 12, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at The Mission Valley United Methodist Church on 70715 US Highway 93 South, top of Post Creek Hill. A luncheon will follow the service.