Carrie Marie Sackman, age 82, of Billings formerly of Terry passed away on Wednesday, May 15, 2013 at her home in Billings surrounded by her family.
Carrie Marie Sackman, daughter of Lars and Gertrude Fotland was born March 30, 1931, in Glendive, Montana. She lived with her family of 3 brothers and 1 sister on a farm/ranch north of Terry, Montana. She attended country schools, graduating from 8th grade at age 11. As a student at Terry High School, she started and led, as the drum majorette, their first majorette program. When she graduated from high school at age 16, she started working at the State Bank of Terry.
On March 7, 1948, at the age of 16, Carrie married Benjamin C. Sackman. In addition to farming, they owned and operated Sackman’s Grocery in Fallon, MT from 1947 to 1951. Carrie was also clerk of School District #30, in Fallon from 1948 through 1960. During this time, their five children were born: Sherrie Lou, Douglas Lee, Sandra Sue, Susan Rae, and Walter Martin.
In 1960 the family moved to Billings. Carrie was employed as Secretary-Bookkeeper for Northwest Tile and Terrazzo. When the company moved to Minneapolis, Carrie became Secretary-Bookkeeper for R. L. Stratford & Co., Inc., a Butler steel builder. She held this position until 1975, when she and Ben purchased Big Sky Propane. As owners, Ben became President and Carrie became Secretary-Treasurer. Carrie was active in Big Sky Propane Inc. from 1975 until they sold their business in November, 1989, when both she and Ben retired.
Carrie was a charter member and the first President of the Magic City Toastmasters Club #1759. She was past President of the Rimrock Chapter, The National Secretaries Association, and the Montana Alpha Phi Sigma Alpha Sorority. She was the first Chairman of Christian Business and Professional Women’s Club. Carrie and Ben both became Christians in 1968 and were charter members of Westside Evangelical Church (Faith Evangelical). Carrie has been a member of the First Evangelical Free Church for almost 30 years, where she served as a Sunday School teacher, Bible Study leader, as well as other offices. She was also actively involved with Stonecroft Ministries as a speaker and led many Friendship Bible Coffees in her home for over 30 years.
Ben and Carrie enjoyed and raised registered quarter horses winning many trophies and ribbons. Their home was often filled with family and friends celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, weddings and graduations leaving us with cherished memories. In September, 2003, they sold their home, where they had lived for twenty-six years. They then moved in with their daughter and her family. When Ben passed away in 2010, they had just celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary.
Mom loved to study Scripture from the day she became a Christian. Almost every page of her Bible is worn and marked with notes she had written. Mom talked about the Lord continuously and was always excited to share what she was learning. She was gifted with discernment and spoke the Truth from God‘s Word. The comment we have heard from people over and over again is, “Who am I going to call now when I have Bible questions?” She will be greatly missed by so many! She always closed her emails with “Keep looking up.” Mom eagerly looked forward to the day she would enter Heaven. She talked of it often using Scripture, “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those that love Him” (1 Corinthians 2:9). ” …And we shall forever dwell in the great city, the holy Jerusalem descending out of Heaven from God…” (Rev 21:9-27). Her words, “What a tremendous future to look forward to at the end of our lives for those who love God. God is faithful to do all that He says.” Carrie often reminded us of what Grandpa Jacob Sackman used to tell us when saying Goodbye, “Take Jesus with you, not only in your head but in your heart also”.
We dearly loved our Mother who was devoted to her family in every way. We could talk to Mom about anything, which was something we all treasured. We valued her advice, so full of godly wisdom. She will be greatly missed, and we look forward to spending all of eternity together.
Carrie is survived by her children: Sherrie (Philip) Richert of Billings; Sandra (John) Schneider of Milwaukee, OR; Susan (Kenneth) Balster of Billings; and Walter (Doreen) Sackman of Hayden Lake, ID; 10 grandchildren: RaShelle (Mark) Kirby, Nathan (Kristin) Richert, Kari Ann (Jason) Koller, Benjamin (Misty) Schneider, Douglas (Danielle) Schneider, Joshua (Nicole) Balster, Christopher Balster, Tiffany (Matthew)Bonner, Lindsay (Aaron) Laird, and Lisa Sackman;12 great-grandchildren: Ethan Kirby, Konnor Richert, Jason Jr. and Kennedy Koller, Benjamin Jr. and Magdalena Schneider, Danyon and Delaney Schneider, Grace Balster, Raegan, Austin and Zander Laird. Surviving sister is Ginger Cameron and surviving brother is Lars Jr. Fotland. Carrie was preceded in death by her husband, Ben Sackman; son, Douglas Lee Sackman; her parents, Lars and Gertrude Fotland; her brothers, Per Fotland and Warley Fotland.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 23, 2013 from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Michelotti Sawyers Mortuary, 1001 Alderson Avenue, Billings. Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 24, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at the First Evangelical Free Church, 401 Custer Avenue, Billings. Interment will follow on Friday at 4:30 p.m. at the Prairie County Cemetery in Terry. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home of Terry is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com
Memorials may be sent to First Evangelical Free Church, 401 Custer Avenue, Billings, MT 59101 or Rocky Mountain Hospice of Billings.
Service Schedule
Visitation
3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Thursday May 23, 2013
Michelotti-Sawyers Funeral Home
1001 Alderson Avenue
Billings, MT 59102
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Friday May 24, 2013
First Evangelical Free Church
401 Custer Avenue
Billings, MT 59101
Service Schedule
Visitation
3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Thursday May 23, 2013
Michelotti-Sawyers Funeral Home
1001 Alderson Avenue
Billings, MT 59102
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Friday May 24, 2013
First Evangelical Free Church
401 Custer Avenue
Billings, MT 59101
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Carol Larsen says
I am so sorry for your loss. Carrie was in my husband’s class at Terry and She and I worked together in the State Bank of Terry, when I was in high school. Gary and I were so glad to see her whenever she came to Town. She had a wonderful cheery attitude. Carol Larsen
Karen Sackman Strobel says
Sherri, Sandra, Susan, Walter
So sorry to hear about your mom. May God grant you all the Peace of the Lord. What a great lady she was.