W. Eric Sjoden, 77

W. Eric Sjoden, 77, of Whitefish, passed away Feb. 21, 2006, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Eric was born Aug. 26, 1928, in Birmingham, Ala., educated at Rutgers University, followed by service in the Navy during the Korean War.

He worked as a industrial salesman for 27 years before retiring to Whitefish, where he raised horses and chickens. He enjoyed his serenity at his cabin.

Eric leaves behind his loving wife of 53 years, Barbara, at the family home; his son, Eric E. Sjoden, and wife, Teri Balaska, and grandchildren, Sierra and Dane, all of Whitefish; and his daughter, Elaine Sjoden-Gutierrez, and husband, Marty Gutierrez, and grandchildren, Emily, Elisa, Jessica and Mathew, all of Whitefish.

Eric requested cremation, and the family is celebrating his life at his cabin on Lone Hawk Ranch. Friends are encouraged to stop in and have a margarita Saturday afternoon.