Sherrie Ann Blomstrom was welcomed into her heavenly home on February 2, 2024. She was surrounded by her loving family here in Helena, Montana, at the time of her passing. She was 76 years of age.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Betty Tynes; her brother, Kevin Croy; and her newborn daughter, Lisa Bicsak.
Sherrie is survived by her dear, loving husband and soulmate, Robert F. Blomstrom; brother, Brian Croy (and family); sister-in-law, Mary Ann Pankratz (Jerry and family); sister, Kim Lloyd (niece Chloe); daughter, Donna Bicsak Stanford (Amy McDonald); stepson, Robert C. Blomstrom; grandson, Steffen C. Meeks (Summer); granddaughters, Madison E. Graham (Joshua), Tyler Blomstrom, and Paige Molina (and great-granddaughter, Seve); nephew, Jason Croy (Conchita and family) and many other extended family members and friends. Sherrie considered Kathleen (Noonan) Putnam and Amy her bonus daughters.
Sherrie was born on June 27, 1947, in Princeton, Minnesota. She was extraordinarily bright and gifted with many talents. As a child in a military family, she shared fond memories of spending time in Morocco, where she had the opportunity to become proficient in Equestrian Arabian horse riding and fluent in French. Sherrie’s talents included a love of language, endless reading, ceramics, supporting mental health, loving, and giving hugs! She gave and was filled with unconditional love.
She spent the majority of her life living in Great Falls, Montana. She worked as a legal secretary, bookkeeper, and then for the local IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers) for many years. Many times, the workers were known to call her just so they could hear her beautiful and soothing voice. She always had a way of making people feel valued, important, and heard. She also utilized this special gift to volunteer for the local crisis line in Great Falls to help others in need.
Sherrie met Bob Blomstrom when she was a young teenager. She is fondly remembered to have been flirting with him in study hall by pretending to powder her nose to “secretly” look at him with her compact mirror and shine her beautiful smile at him, along with a special twinkle in her pretty blue eyes. Due to varying life circumstances, they each ventured down different paths for several years. Sherrie married Art Bicsak, and they had two daughters: Lisa, who passed away shortly after birth, and Donna.
In her younger years, she enjoyed supporting the youth group and Boy Scout adventures at Trinity Lutheran Church in Great Falls. She had a very strong faith in God and helped support many families in church and those who were part of the Bicsak Ambulance Service. The Bicsak family was a huge part of her early life; Charlie and Helen embraced and loved her as their own. Art, her husband at the time, his brothers, their wives, and extended relatives and friends were a very special family to her.
Years later, the glorious stars aligned, and Sherrie reconnected with Bob. She was able to find pure love, inner peace, joy, and happiness with her “Bob Angel”. Their love was bigger than life – it was a love that was true and unconditional through sickness and health. They enjoyed many years together and loved traveling and visiting Bob’s son, Rob and his children, and Donna’s family and children. Sherrie enjoyed being a “Harley Chick” with Bob. Being “Grandma” brought so much joy to Sherrie’s life.
Sherrie also deeply loved her Shih Tzu puppies, who have been special, loving, and loyal companions for her. Beginning in the 1980s, there was Meghan, then Maxie, then Lacy, and now her precious Suzi Q. Suzi’s calling was most definitely a therapy and service dog who brought her great comfort and lovingly snuggled her through her last breaths here on earth, supporting her in her next journey into the loving and welcoming arms of our Lord.
Sherrie’s family is deeply grateful to all of the caring and patient staff at BeeHive Assisted Living in Helena, who lovingly supported her and her dear husband, Bob, during this challenging journey. They are also grateful to the wonderful hospice team (St. Peters Hospital) who helped during such a difficult time.
In lieu of flowers, the family gladly accepts warm thoughts, prayers, and many hugs, as these will be needed. If desired, one may contribute to psp.org (CURE PSP). Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) is a neurodegenerative disorder that has no known cause or cure. “Because Hope Matters”. https://www.psp.org/ , https://www.psp.org/iwanttohelp/
A Memorial Service is scheduled for 1:00 p.m., Thursday, February 22, 2024 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home with a burial to follow the service at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery, Fort Harrison. The service will be livestreamed for those that cannot attend in person.
Penny Craven Lind says
I grew up knowing Sherri . At age 15 I was hired to work at the local theaters in Great Falls in 1965. I met Sherri as she was dating Art who hired me. My family considered Charlie and Helen our second parents . She was a loving kind soul who always had a smile and kind word for me a shy introverted girl at the time. She always had a bright smile, welcoming hug, and gentle way about her. I still smile thinking about her helping me to grow with her advice on what to do as a blossoming teenager. She made a difference in a gawky teenagers life.I wanted to emulate her. I send my condolances to all the family.
Mary Blomstrom Pankratz says
I met Sherrie in high school when she started dating my brother Bob. We remained friends through the years and we had lots of talks, fun and laughs. I was so happy to see them find each other again and have 20 some years together before hurt passing. She will be missed greatly by her family, my husband Jerry and I and our family. RIP my good friend and sister-in-law.❤️🙏
Jennie Moore says
I didn’t know Sherrie, but I know her beautiful daughter, Donna well. And if she raised Donna, she was obviously a wonderful woman. Sending so much love to the whole family. I’m so very sorry for your loss.
Denis R Thompson says
We have so many memories of Sherrie. The years that she worked for IBEW Local 122. Over the years it was a great pleasure to get to know her. Sherrie always took time for us helping out with what ever concerns we had. When I worked away from home my wife Becky would sometimes have to go to the IBEW office and Sherrie was always so sweet and helpful. I will will always remember her for her sweet, kind, gentle welcoming spirit. Bob you’re a true friend and you and the family are in our prayers. Love from Denis and Becky
Kim Lloyd says
It’s always been hard, living another state from your family. Although I did manage to spend months and visits from time to time there with you, all that is priceless. Pastor wanted to ask if any of us wanted to share special thoughts or memories… Incredibly enough I can remember an area of opportunities for people that wish to say something in regards to and about Sher in regards to blessings prayers thoughts . I had the most ridiculous thought that came to mind but here it is… an argument between you and I Donna over who had the more SpaghettiOs in their bowl. There obviously is way too many years and memories to reiterate. But there u have it. My beloved sister, through laughter and pain. My love and memories have passed to you. May God bless u and keep u. And yours