Doris Ekstom

Doris Mae Elliott- Ekstrom of Rock Creek passed away peacefully in her home on August 13, 2015 of natural causes. She was 95 years old. On July 22, 1920, Doris was born on the Elliott homestead to Lee and Bessie Elliott. As a young girl, she lived with her family on the ranch and graduated from Missoula County High School. She trained to become a nurse then ventured on to cosmetology school. After cosmetology school, she worked in many salons in Missoula. Doris then decided to own her own salon, the Campus Beauty Salon that she operated with her daughter for many years.

Doris married Jim Ekstrom on January 3, 1943 in Fort Ord, California where Jim was stationed in the Army during World War II. The couple made their home and wonderful life on Rock Creek after Jim was honorably discharged from the military. In their early years of marriage Doris, Jim and the Elliott Family built and operated the Rock Creek Lodge. After that, they proceeded on to build Ekstrom's Stage Station Restaurant and Campground where she taught many people how to cook. Her heritage of cooking is still being carried on at Ekstrom's by her daughter, granddaughters and great grandchilderen.

Doris enjoyed gardening, baking, cooking, water color painting, stained glass, and watching football; from the Griz on Saturdays to the NFL on Sundays. She was the co-founder of the Clinton Community Church and an advocate and supporter of Big Sky Bible Camp. She also entered many cooking contests. She won trips to the Pillsbury Cooking Contest and the National Chicken Contest where she was awarded champion. Her stove in her kitchen today is one of the many prizes she brought home.

Doris was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother and friend. She "adopted" many people throughout her life and welcomed them into her family.

Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law Carol and Darrel Steinberg of Rock Creek, son and daughter- in-law Dan and Lauretta Ekstrom of Rock Creek, her two sisters Jean Skelton of Missoula, Joan Gjefle of Seattle, Washington, along with 4 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren and many adopted family members. She was preceded in death by husbands Jim Ekstrom and Bud Purcell, brothers Bruce and Ross Elliott, grandson Bryan Steinberg and great grandson Dawson LaBair.

Celebration of Doris' life will be held at Ekstrom's Stage Station on Rock Creek, Sunday, September 27, 2015 from 1-4 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Partners in Home Health Care Hospice or Big Sky Bible Camp.



Read Doris Ekstom's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.