Mark Sterling Soderlind

Ashes will be buried at the Nye Cemetery at 1:30 p.m., followed by a memorial gathering at the Nye Fire Hall at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 5, 2011.Mark Sterling Soderlind was born on April 3, 1951 in Minneapolis, Minnesota and died January 30, 2011 in Gillette, Wyoming. Mark became the first child of Jean and Paul Soderlind at the age of six months. He lit up their lives! Mark attended school through high school in the Minneapolis area. He spoke fondly of the big family gatherings with outrageous quantities of delicious Scandinavian foods at Grandma Flossies and Aunt Frans homes. He also had wonderful memories of fishing with Grandpa Nels. Mark loved Montana. The family traveled to Nye every summer where Mark quickly took up with the locals. He seized the opportunity to attend Rocky Mountain College in Billings. It was during this time he met Linda Schlothauer and took her for his bride. The couple settled into ranch life in Nye in 1975. They both felt their time in the Beartooths, with the horses, Brown Swiss cows and calves, was one of the best times of their lives. Mark began a career with Montana Department of Fish and Game in 1976, as a caretaker at Cooney Dam. He worked on the maintenance crew out of Billings for two years before taking a full time position with the Parks Department out of Billings in 1979. During his career with Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Mark and Linda moved many times. He took jobs in Helena, Greenough and finally as a Game Warden in Thompson Falls where he completed his career for the State. The greatest joy in Marks life was his children. Erica was born in Kalispell in 1982, and David in Helena in 1984. Mark was so proud of them and their accomplishments. Following Marks retirement from Fish, Wildlife and Parks, he worked for a few years as an officer with the City of Thompson Falls and Sanders County. After nearly 30 years of marriage, Mark and Linda divorced. He moved to Gillette, Wyoming to be near Dave. When not riding his Harley, Mark worked on and off in the midst of his retirement. Mark had a very quick sense of humor and enjoyed a good laugh. He will be missed by his family and friends who will always love him.Mark is survived by Erica, Dave, and Linda, his brother Bill, his sister Robin (Gary) Butcher, niece Jennifer, nephew Jared. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jean and Paul. Memorial donations may be made to the Nye Volunteer Fire Department, Box 419, Nye MT 59061. Memorials and condolences may be sent in care of Gillette Memorial Chapel, 210 W. 5th Street, Gillette, Wyoming 82716 or condolences via the internet at www.gillettememorialchapel.com. Funeral Home:Gillette Memorial Chapel210 West Fifth Street Gillette, WYUS 82716