
Sidney Sulser
Sidney “Sid” D. Sulser, 85, passed away, early the morning of Sunday, January 21, 2018, while at RiverStone Hospice House in Billings.
Sid was born on July 12, 1932, to Ethel and Samuel Sulser in Augusta, Montana. He grew up in Great Falls with his brother Jay, where he attended Catholic School system through the first grade. Sid was never very fond of non-sports related uniforms and he did not think much of the knickers his mother had him wear to the Catholic school; sure enough, Sid was enrolled in the Great Falls public school system the following year. In 1951, he graduated from Great Falls High School. He attended Eastern Washington, briefly, on a football scholarship until joining the Air Force. He served for four years and is a Korean War Veteran. After his time in the Air Force, Sid completed his college career at Northern Montana College, where he met the love his life, Elaine Korb. Sid and Elaine were married in Malta in 1957 and, by the fall of 1958, they welcomed their first child of five into the family.
Sid and Elaine placed high value on education and spent their lives instructing children. With five children in the house, life was never boring, and equal emphasis was placed on education and involvement in school and community activities. Sid and Elaine raised their children to be hard-working and driven to excel. Sid spent the majority of his teaching career in Glasgow, Montana. He taught Earth Science, coached football, was a basketball referee, and spent his summers on the mosquito patrol and teaching driver’s education. Within 10 years, he had moved into administration, eventually retiring from his public school career as the Glasgow Middle School Principal. While Sid and Elaine relocated to Billings in 1990, Sid remained a loyal Scottie fan his entire life. His collection of Scottie ball caps is extensive and Sid rocked a trucker hat long before they were “cool” or “vintage.”
Sid was not quite ready to hang up the title of “Mr. Sulser” upon arriving in Billings; he held the post of Principal of St. Francis Upper Building for seven years. While there, he managed to not only have his youngest son as a student, but also his eldest granddaughter. The Catholic School Community in Billings was an important network for the Sulser family. In keeping with their Hi-Line roots, the close-knit Catholic Community helped the move to Billings feel like less of a leap.
In Sid’s official retirement, one would consider him a professional Griz fan, attending as many games as he could with either Elaine or one of his children along for the ride. Having his middle son play Griz football, a granddaughter run Griz track and a grandson recruited for next football season was surely a highlight in a lifetime full of countless hours watching his children and grandchildren compete in sports. He enjoyed watching everything from wrestling to basketball to football and from track to volleyball to softball. In addition to sports, Sid enjoyed watching his many grandchildren (12 in all) sing (college fight songs whenever possible), master instruments, and grow up pursuing their passions.
Traveling was always a part of Sid’s life, whether it was to see his children’s and grandchildren’s activities, to visit family and friends, to take a cruise in the Caribbean with Elaine, or to drive cars for dealerships — Sid preferred to be on the move. It has been said, that Sid loved maps so much he may have been the original inventor of the Google Maps concept — but on paper. In fact, as recently as this summer, he made a visit to the Billings Chamber of Commerce to update his collection with every available printed map of Montana — always thinking, “Where to next?”
He and his dance partner of 60 years, Elaine, lived and loved together. With all the ups and downs that come with living this life, Sid leaves a proud legacy to be carried on by his wife, children and in-laws, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends that have loved and laughed with him. We remember him for the strong man that he was and remain hopeful for the opportunity to see him again.
Sid is survived by his wife, Elaine; sons, Dennis (Val) Sulser and Mark (Jody) Sulser of Billings, Tim (Marianne) Sulser of Denver, Colorado; daughters, Patty (Kelly) Sherwin of Lakeville, Minnesota, and Jan (Rod) Ostermiller of Billings; 12 grandchildren, Maisie Sulser Handley (Mike), Ben Sulser (Brianne), Morgan Sulser, Gabe Sulser, Maxwell Sherwin, Hunter Sherwin, Grace Ostermiller, Ellie Ostermiller, Anna Ostermiller, Grant Sulser, Elizabeth Sulser and Charlotte Sulser.
Sid is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Jay Sulser.
Vigil will be held on Thursday, January 25, at 6 p.m. at St. Patrick Co-Cathedral in Billings. Funeral is Friday, January 26, 2018, at noon, at St. Patrick Co-Cathedral, with a luncheon, also at St. Pat’s, following interment at Holy Cross Cemetery.
My principal in Jr. High AND High School (vice). A fair man, good , only concerned with playing by the rules. I gave him a ride a few years ago–he was getting his car repaired where I work–and I kept him talking about his family the whole time. We arrived at work and he asked my name. When he heard my last name, he remarked that he had had a student in Glasgow with that last name. I confided that I had been that student. You would have thought he won the lottery. He was so excited. I’m glad he had forgotten the pain in the behind I had been. Once again, a good man. My prayers for his family…
Mr. Sulser, one of the finest men I have ever known. He was a tremendously positive influence and role model for thousands of young people. God blessed us with this man. God Speed, Coach.
Thanks Mr. Sulser for being the role model in my life and to instill the value of being a steady shepherd for others. I remember you as large in life as you strolled the hallways of Glasgow Jr. High and guided many of us to be better students and citizens. You are as vivid to me today as those times back then. Thanks to Elaine (your lovely and humorous wife) for being the soft soul in the neighbor and for your great children. God Bless you in your journey!
Elaine, Dennis, Mark & Sulser family. Sorry to here of the passing of Sidney he was a very humble man. I remember him from elementary wrestling (meeting Dennis) to high schools athletics at Glasgow. He was always positive with a kind word to share. God bless you all. Manny Granbois
I’ve known the Sulsers since I was five years old, when Elaine was my kindergarten teacher and Mark my classmate. Sid was a good man, and those of us who knew him and learned from him are better for it. He made our world a better place, and the legacy he leaves behind through Elaine, their children and grandchildren, and all the lives he influenced will continue to do so.
I was saddened to hear of Sid’s passing. I always enjoyed my interactions with Sid at church and in discussions about taxes. He was a man who enjoyed his life and I could tell how much his family meant to him and how proud he was of them. He will be missed by so many. My thoughts and prayers go out to all who knew and loved him.
So sorry to hear of Sid’s passing…..he was a friend and a good man…..from the “Green Acres” outside of Malta (3 doors down from the Korb house)….to Glasgow/Nashua……to Billings/Hardin and the connections thru education all those years….Dennis too…..he will be missed…..so sorry Elaine and family…….Don Gilbertson, Hardin
I’m thinking of you, Elaine, during this difficult time. I’m here for you if you need anything.
My thoughts and prayers are with the entire Sulser family. Mr. Sulser was a tough but very understanding principal while I attended St. Francis Upper. I will always remember the times he would have me run laps around the school to get rid of some much needed energy. A trick my wife and I still use today with our boys by having them run laps around the house! Thank you Mr. Sulser for being a great principal and role model.
Tough but fair. This is what I remember about Sid as my junior high principal. I liked him but even more I respected him. We were all a little better off for having Sid in our life if even for just a day. My condolences to the Sulser family.
Being a sports official from Sidney, MT during the 60-90 year period, I got to know Sid and I respected him as a coach. I enjoyed his friendship very much . He will be missed by many. My prayers reach out to his family.
Jerry Butner
Sartell, Minnesota
I remember Mr. Sulser (and Mrs. Sulser) as the grandparent of the fine young Sulser children who passed through Poly Drive Elementary School in Billings. They, too, were very committed to their educations and involvement. We always think of nuts falling not far from the tree in a comical sense, but in this case the tree(s) was solid and good. My sympathies to the whole family.
I taught right across the hall from Sid Sulser’s office at the old Glasgow Jr High and my science classes were more often than not “active”…and occasionally he would look in on us. I taught for ten years and had more fun than the kids I think! Sid was a great principal who cared for kids, parents, faculty and Glasgow…and all of us who worked for him knew he was very good but didn’t always realize at the time how amazing he really was. We all know in hindsight how special it was to work for him since we now know Sid Sulser worked for us as well. I was also fortunate enough to have several of the Sulser kids in class. Each was a tribute to he and Elaine’s dedication to family. Long after I had moved away from Glasgow my son in Billings needed some organization assistance and as I walked into the room with him his future teacher stood and said, “Mr Tone, what are you doing here?” His teacher was one of Sid’s sons…Mark. I moved on from teaching to become a civil engineer and my son became a teacher in Alaska. I was retired when my son called and asked if I would come to Alaska and help in his classroom – a native school only accessible by bush plane. I hadn’t taught for years and needed a recommendation so I called Sid out of the blue and after he asked all about me and my family said he would send “what ever was needed” to Alaska. I respect this man a great deal! My sympathies and sincere well wishes to his family. Thank-you for sahring him with all of us.
Elaine and family.. So sorry to hear of Sid’s passing. What a guy he was. Our prayers are with you all. Butch and I are in AZ now for the winter months but we will be thinking and praying for the family. God Bless!! Butch and Dodie Clapper
Sid was such a nice guy. I send my sincere condolences to everyone in his family. He certainly will be missed.
Elaine, I am very sorry about the loss of Sid. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
God bless you all as you spend the next few days together. Treasure these moments as well as the times you spent with Sid. Such an amazing man and family! Know my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Thoughts and prayers to Elaine and family.
I remember him well. What a wonderful man. Was my science teacher, had a lot of patients with me. My condolences to his family
My condolences to the Sulser family. From the first time I met Sid I knew he was a special man. His family was always so important to him. He was very proud of all of the accomplishments of his children and grandchildren.
My mom and dad have many fond memories of times with Sid and Elaine. Bet Dad and Sid are talking sports together right now! Thoughts and prayers to you, Mark and all of the Sulsers.
With Love,
Monte and Starla Solberg
Sid Sulser what a guy! He is one of my favorite, best remembered, most admired teachers I had at Glasgow HS in the early/mid 60’s. He was also my football coach, frosh thru senior years, learned more than just x’s and o’s from him. I used to really enjoy visits with him at Griz games in later years. Awesome Man, this world needs more like him. Sympathy to his entire family, I know you will miss him.
My thoughts are with your family. May the words in Job 14:13-15 give you hope and comfort.
I will always think of Sid as so engaged & interested in each person he was conversing with! He had a great sense of humor & love of family, friends & “The Griz”!
Hugs to Elaine, children, grandchildren & extended families!
Mr Sulser was my junior high student council advisor in Glasgow. He taught me many lessons growing up. He was a good role in many ways, including always being dressed professionally. Prayers go out to the entire Sulser family.
Sid was my principal at St. Francis Upper School in Billings in my first teaching job. He was an amazing man who was caring for our students and a great educational leader for our school. I learned a lot from Sid and I really appreciated working with him. I’m very sorry to hear of his passing and I want to pass along my condolences to his family. I will miss Sid and wish I would have had another chance to visit with him. Take care Sid and Rest In Peace. Rob Pedersen
Did was always a straight shooter, someone easy to work for because we always knew what he expected. He was always proud of his school and made it work properly. He was the ultimate educator and he will be missed.
Sending warm thoughts and blessings to Sid’s family and loved ones.
Thinking of you all. Bless you, an God Bless Sid. 💙
The Hilton’s
So very sorry Elaine and family for your great loss. Our sympathy, love and prayers are with you all.
I was sorry to hear of Sid’s death. Will always remember my years working for him! Thoughts and prayers for your family!
Thank you Mr Sulser for being so kind and caring and making it safe and fun to enter my high school years. I’ll always remember our talks , your advice and just how real you were!!! You are and always will be my favorite principal🙏❤️