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Erik Iversen Obituary

Erik Richard Iversen, 73, of Great Falls, a retired architect and veteran of the Montana Army National Guard, died Saturday in a fire at the family cabin in the Highwood Mountains.
The family will hold a private memorial service at Soldiers' Chapel on his and his wife's 49th wedding anniversary. Croxford Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
Born in Juneau, Alaska, on April 23, 1937, to Ivy and Elaine Iversen, Erik had a lifelong love of the outdoors that continued until his last breath in his beloved Highwood Mountains. In 1953, Erik came to Montana, where he promptly became an avid and accomplished hunter and fisher of all of Montana's wild bounty.
He attended Montana State University in Bozeman, where he met Marilyn Fraser and obtained his bachelor's degree in architecture in 1961. Erik also was a proud patriot, serving as an officer in the Montana Army National Guard.
After their wedding Sept. 2, 1961, in Soldiers' Chapel on Lone Mountain at Big Sky, Marilyn and Erik went to California and then Connecticut, where Erik practiced architecture before returning home to Montana and building a life and practice in Great Falls, where he was licensed as an architect by the National Council of Architect Registration Boards. Exercising his bold creativity and embracing his love of good design, Erik had a long and successful career as an architect, designing a number of distinctive buildings that can be seen all over Montana.
Erik loved to travel and be in the outdoors as much as possible, but most of all he loved his family. Particularly in his later years, his two grandchildren brought him and Marilyn much joy.
Erik is survived by his wife, Marilyn Iversen of Great Falls; his son and daughter-in-law, Sten Iversen and Abigail St. Lawrence of Helena; his daughter, Emily Iversen of Great Falls; and his grandson, Colter Iversen of Great Falls.
Memorials are suggested to the Great Falls Children's Receiving Home, P.O. Box 1061, Great Falls, MT 59403.
Condolences may be posted online at www.croxfordfuneralhome.com and/or www.gftribune.com/obituaries.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Great Falls Tribune on Sep. 2, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for Erik Iversen

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Mike Plummer

September 10, 2010

Dear Marilyn and family,
Over the past several months, I've had the privilege of getting to know Erik and just the beginnings of a friendship with him. We enjoyed sharing stories of our grandchildren with each other. They were the joy of Erik's life. May God extend grace and comfort to you in this time of great grief. I am praying for this for you.

Shirley Zundel

September 7, 2010

Marilyn, Sten, and Emily,
My heart goes out to you all. I can't believe what you must be going through.I savor the memories of baby-sitting you both, Emily and Sten...snakes and all critters!
My PRAYERS and thoughts are with you all. My memory of Erik is when I didn't have a job and Erik hired me to stain your house.He wanted me to get out and strap myself to a rope to get to one of
the windows I couldn't get to!
The next memory is sanding the fridge for the cabin.
Harold painting it BRIGHT blue.You all have made an impact on my life. Thanks!
Marilyn, I'll call you later. My Mom and dad are there for you!!

David & Christina Kidd

September 5, 2010

Marilyn and family,
It is so very hard to write this knowing that whatever we may say can never ease the pain in your hearts at a tragic time like this. Erik was such a treasured friend and will miss him greatly. We often talked about when our lives got less hectic we'd do some more hunting and shooting that we both so loved to do. Even though it sometimes seems unbearable God will not let you go through anything that with his help you can't get through. God bless and keep you all

September 5, 2010

Erik's Family: Please accept our sincere condolences at this time of double sorrow. In time may you remember that those who have shown us love and brought us joy have blessed our memories forever even though they have traveled on into eternity. You are being remembered in prayer by our church fellowship now and in the coming days.
Calvary Chapel of Great Falls
John 11: 25-26

Don Peressini

September 3, 2010

Marilyn and family,
It is with deep sorrow that we heard of the tragedy that has taken Erik and his granddaughter.
We were roomates in our freshman year in Bozeman and found that we had much in common especially our love of the outdoors. We went on some neat hunting trips and shared many ideas that we had in common. He recently told me how much he loved his family.
Betty and I offer you and your family our most sincere sympathy. Don Peressini

September 3, 2010

Marilyn, So sorry to hear about the death of your husband and grandaughter. Best wishes from the Bue family in Reed Point, MT.

Fern Nelson

September 3, 2010

Marilyn and family,
I am devastated to learn of Erik's and Lexus's death, and I wish I were there in GF to embrace and console you during this difficult time. I did not know Erik personally, but I heard you speak of him most lovingly when you taught at CMR. I also know that you two felt blessed and most happy when you had children, and I can imagine your happiness when the grandchildren were born. It is my prayer that the pleasant memories all of you have will help to console you during this difficult time. My condolences, Fern Padgett Nelson

Betsy & Bruce Baumgart

September 3, 2010

Dear Sten and Abby:
I am surrounding you and your family with light and love during this very sad and difficult time.
With Heartfelt Sympathy,
Bruce and Betsy

Julie Hollar/Brantley

September 3, 2010

I do not know you nor you me... but I wanted to pass along that I am sure any Montanan that read your tragic story has heartfelt sympthy and love going out to all of you.
Only our loving God can get you guys through this very sad time...
Blessings from Choteau

Kim Haney Prevett

September 3, 2010

Emily- God wanted little Lexi to have her grandpa with her to watch over you and your family. God bless all of you.

Deb Hansen

September 3, 2010

Marilyn, Sten, Abby, Emily, and Colter,

Please know that your family in Delaware is sharing your burden during this time of unspeakable sorrow.
We send our thoughts and prayers your way in the hope that the wonderful memories you have will somehow lift you above the sadness. We know of Erik's spirit and zest for life and it is evident that beautiful little Lexie was truly a kindred spirit.

I am just able to remember being the flower girl in your wedding 49 years ago at Soldier's Chapel, Marilyn. How very mysterious this circle of life....

Daphne Tillman

September 2, 2010

Our thoughts and prayers to you and your family at the loss of a wonderful man, father, grandfather, etc. He visited with my husband many times and just recently when he came to our sawmill to get wood. He was a good person and hope you will keep those fond memorys in your hearts. may god bless you all. from the Tillman family

lori bushly

September 2, 2010

Mike and Lori Bushly have you in thought and prayer. Erik and Lexus will continue to live through each of you in your hearts forever.

Melissa H

September 2, 2010

Iversen family,
Peaceful thoughts and prayers to you in your time of sadness. God bless.

CINDY LAKO

September 2, 2010

GOD BLESS YOUR FAMILY, GRANDPA AND LEXUS ARE BOTH TOGETHER WITH GOD AND ALL THE ANGELS ARE EMBRACING THEM BOTH, THEY ARE TOGETHER. FOR THE FAMILY, GOD IS WITH YOU ALL RIGHT NOW AND ALL SOMEDAY WILL BE O.K. LOOK TO THE HEAVENS AND YOU'LL FEEL THEIR LOVE FOR ALL THOSE THEY LEFT BEHIND. LOVE CINDY & GREG LAKO & FAMILY

Jeremy Allgrunn

September 2, 2010

I moved to Great Falls, MT about 7 years ago. I came here when my wife was stationed at Malmstrom Air Force Base. I met Erik when we moved into the North 40 apartments he owned. Erik found out that my wife worked on base but I didn't have a job yet. He gave me a job helping with and repairs to the apartment complex. After working a couple of months he started bringing me up to his house on the hill in great falls and helping out there. Me and Erik stood on top of the hill one day as Air Force One came over us on the way to the airport. Then I started helping Erik with his cabin in the Highwoods. This is where I had a lot of memories and tried moonshine for the first time. Coming from Louisiana and seeing the Highwoods area and Erik's cabin was a lot to take in because of such beauty. I will miss you Erik but I will always have the memories and the skills you taught me for the rest of my life. Thank you, Jeremy Allgrunn

Dianne Ayers Meinhardt

September 2, 2010

I am heartsick for your family. About 25 years ago, I moved into North 40 with my two small children, ages 2 and 4. Having a hard time making ends meet, Erik allowed me to do bookkeeping for him to help get back on my feet. I have never forgotten that and how much it helped at a low time in my life. He made a lifelong impression. Also, having lost a very young granddaughter one year ago myself, my heart hurts for you. Take good care of yourselves until you meet them again. Prayers from my family, Dianne Ayers Meinhardt

Barb (Gettel) Williams

September 2, 2010

Dear Marilyn & Family. May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow. I'm sure you probably won't remember me but I lived in the small apartment above you and Erik when you lived at 1604 11th Avenue South. I'll never forget the time you were developing pictures and the tub overflowed and water went into the apartment below you.
The girl wasn't very happy with you but you and I had a good laugh. Please know that I'm keeping you and your family in my prayers and extend my deepest sympathy to you in the loss of Erik and your granddaughter.

April Beattie-Kottke

September 2, 2010

Thoughts and prayers go out to you all.

Lonelle & Shawn Ordway

September 2, 2010

Erik was truly a one of a kind. Always had a kind word, minutes to spare, an ear to listen. He made me laugh every time I got the chance to spend time with the family. Usually it was over his haggling for my air rifle or showing me his new "toy". His devotion to his family, especially his Grandchildren, was a beautiful thing to see. His shoes will be impossible to fill, and he will be incredibly missed by many. Our deepest sympathy to his family. We love you and wish we could be there.

REBECCA EVERED

September 2, 2010

God bless you and your granddaughter!

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