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Sidney 'Sid' D. Sulser

Sidney "Sid" D. Sulser, 85, passed away early in the morning of Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, while at RiverStone Hospice House in Billings, Mont.

He was born on July 12, 1932, to Ethel and Samuel Sulser in Augusta, Mont. He grew up in Great Falls with his brother, Jay, where he attended the Catholic School system through the 1st grade.

He was never very fond of non-sports-related uniforms and he did not think much of the knickers his mother had him wear to the Catholic school; sure enough, he was enrolled in the Great Falls public school system the following year.

In 1951, he graduated from Great Falls High School. He attended Eastern Washington, briefly, on a football scholarship until joining the Air Force. He served for four years and is a Korean War veteran. After his time in the Air Force, he completed his college career at Northern Montana College, where he met the love his life, Elaine Korb. He and Elaine were married in Malta in 1957, and by the fall of 1958, they welcomed their first child of five into the family.

He and Elaine placed high value on education and spent their lives instructing children. With five children in the house, life was never boring, and equal emphasis was placed on education and involvement in school and community activities. He and Elaine raised their children to be hard-working and driven to excel. He spent the majority of his teaching career in Glasgow. He taught earth science, coached football, was a basketball referee, and spent his summers on the mosquito patrol and teaching driver's education. Within 10 years, he had moved into administration, eventually retiring from his public school career as the Glasgow Middle School principal.

While he and Elaine relocated to Billings in 1990, he remained a loyal Scottie fan his entire life. His collection of Scottie ball caps is extensive and he rocked a trucker hat long before they were "cool" or "vintage."

He was not quite ready to hang up the title of "Mr. Sulser" upon arriving in Billings; where he held the post of principal of St. Francis Upper Building for seven years. While there, he managed to not only have his youngest son as a student, but also his eldest granddaughter. The Catholic School Community in Billings was an important network for the Sulser family. In keeping with their Hi-Line roots, the close-knit Catholic community helped the move to Billings feel like less of a leap.

In his official retirement, one would consider him a professional Griz fan, attending as many games as he could, with either Elaine or one of his children along for the ride. Having his middle son play Griz football, a granddaughter run Griz track and a grandson recruited for the next football season was surely a highlight in a lifetime full of countless hours watching his children and grandchildren compete in sports. He enjoyed watching everything from wrestling to basketball to football and from track to volleyball to softball. In addition to sports, he enjoyed watching his many grandchildren (12 in all) sing (college fight songs whenever possible), master instruments and grow up pursuing their passions.

Traveling was always a part of his life, whether it was to see his children's and grandchildren's activities, to visit family and friends, to take a cruise in the Caribbean with Elaine or to drive cars for dealerships – he preferred to be on the move. It has been said, that he loved maps so much he may have been the original inventor of the Google Maps concept - but on paper. In fact, as recent as this summer, he made a visit to the Billings Chamber of Commerce to update his collection with every available printed map of Montana – always thinking, "Where to next?"

He and Elaine, his dance partner of 60 years, lived and loved together. With all the ups and downs that come with living this life, Sid leaves a proud legacy to be carried on by his wife, children and in-laws, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends that have loved and laughed with him. We remember him for the strong man that he was and remain hopeful for the opportunity to see him again.

He is preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Jay Sulser.

He is survived by his wife, Elaine; three sons, Dennis Sulser and his wife, Val, Mark Sulser and his wife, Jody, all of Billings, and Tim Sulser and his wife, Marianne, of Denver, Colo .; two daughters, Patty Sherwin and her husband, Kelly, of Lakeville, Minn., and Jan Ostermiller and her husband, Rod, of Billings; 12 grandchildren, Maisie Sulser Handley and her husband, Mike, Ben Sulser and his wife, Brianne, Morgan Sulser, Gabe Sulser, Maxwell Sherwin, Hunter Sherwin, Grace Ostermiller, Ellie Ostermiller, Anna Ostermiller, Grant Sulser, Elizabeth Sulser, and Charlotte Sulser.

Vigil was held on Thursday, Jan. 25, at 6 p.m., at St. Patrick's Co-Cathedral in Billings. Funeral services were celebrated Friday, Jan. 26, at noon at St. Patrick's Co-Cathedral with a luncheon following at St. Pat's, following internment at Holy Cross Cemetery.

Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at http://www.michelottisawyers.com

Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary in Billings is in charge of arrangements.

 

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