John Martin Sivertsen, 74
John Martin Sivertsen, 74, passed away on Sunday, April 28, 2019, at Teton Medical Center, Choteau, due to complications from COPD.
The oldest of four children, John was born on May 29, 1944, in Chicago, to Eddie and Elizabeth Sivertsen. During the summer of 1951, the family moved to San Diego. Later, they moved to Pomona, and then to Santa Paula where John graduated high school in 1962. John’s interest in computers landed him a job at Point Mugu Naval Air Station, which led to another job at Vandenberg AFB in their Missile Systems computer room. In 1973 he moved with his wife and children from Lompoc, California, to the Flathead Valley, a place he would call home for the next 44 years. John worked at the Flathead County Courthouse in the computer department, then was hired at Plum Creek Timber in Columbia Falls as a computer operator. After 28 years, he retired from Plum Creek in 2005. In 2017, John moved to Choteau to be closer to his daughters Julianna and Mamie.
He was known for his sarcastic sense of humor and generosity. When it came to music, John was all about the blues. He enjoyed tinkering on his Corvette and Firehawk Trans AM. John was a motorsports/racing fan, whether it was Indycar, NASCAR, Formula 1, motorcycle, or boat racing. His favorite though, was NHRA drag racing. Over the years he frequented Moose’s Saloon, where he was affectionately known as “The Mayor.” John was good friends with the late Moose Miller and his family and staff.
He was preceded in death by his parents Eddie and Elizabeth, his brother Edward Karsten, and his sister Carol.
John is survived by his son Joseph (Shena) Sivertsen of West Chicago, Illinois, daughters Julianna (Craig) Parsons of Conrad, and Mamie (Nick Thompson) Sivertsen of Choteau, sister Jeanette Robinson of Ojai, California, and aunt Marge Goslin of Turlock, California, as well as seven grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and three nieces.
A celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 2, at the Choteau Pavilion.
Condolences may left on-line at www.gorderjensenfuneralhome.com