Rick Korf

Rick Korf died peacefully on March 29, 2012 at the Lake Mary Ronan family home, with Jane – his wife, nurse, confidant and lover – supporting him to the end. He was 61. Rick had bladder cancer with multiple complications, some from Agent Orange. His death, as so much of his life, was tied to a distant war fought long ago.

Rick was born April 5, 1950 to Norman (deceased) and MarJean Korf in Valley City, N.D. The family then moved to Petaluma, Calif. where they stayed until Rick’s sophomore year in high school when they moved to Polson and the family eventually settled. His two brothers, Dean and Ron (Peggy) Korf, live in Billings. His sister, Joydell (Lindy) Peak, lives in Polson.

Rick graduated from Polson High School in 1968, enlisted in the Army, and within a year or so was in combat in Vietnam. He was discharged as a PFC-E3 in December 1970. To know Rick, one must understand that wars do not end with the last shot fired.

Rick married Michelle Hoard in February 1972, Charleen Black in April 1977, and Penny Cofrin in October 1986. Complicated as it may seem, Rick remained friends with them through the years, truly a tribute to them, and to Rick. He married his spiritual connection Jane Nolan in January 2004. Peace, at last, became possible.

Rick was intelligent, talented, good hearted and a hard worker. By trade he was a pipefitter and a proud member of the United Association of Pipefitters and Plumbers, Local 459. In the course of his career he worked projects across America, meeting a wide variety of people and accruing a wealth of stories he loved to tell. He enjoyed traveling the open road and he and Jane explored the United States, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Panama.

Rick was a great storyteller, intelligent humorist, periodic antagonist, gentle and profane and a magnet for like-minded people. His cadre of friends was as varied and interesting a group as ever shared a campfire, conversation or a smoke.

The Dayton Idle Spur was his unofficial touchstone. In the “Spur” he’d share the plank with locals of all stripes. He welded to those personalities like dots connected by a line. Rick’s conversation was sprinkled with adjectives of a most colorful palate. They gave life to his stories and he was a master in their usage. Every year he’d make a trip to the coast and return with gunny sacks of fresh oysters and the gang in the bar feasted like seagulls. Rick would sit outside with a cigarette and a beer smiling as oysters were inhaled, barbequed and Rockerfellered. He was the toast of the Proctor Valley and his barstool should be memorialized.

Rick would put himself out to help a neighbor or friend. He had a generosity of spirit and a willingness to assist. He drove the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) van and volunteered at the Polson Loaves and Fish Food Pantry and the Montana Waterfowl Foundation.

Rick leaves behind a wonderful group of people, two brothers, a sister, his favorite cousin, Jerry Johnsen, and his wife Betty, the aforementioned assortment of friends and most of all his children and grandchildren whom he loved mightily. His daughters, Sarah (fiance, Corey) Cofrin, Angela (special friend, Joe) Anno, Robin Little, Barbara (Kurt) Fossen, Kira (Tonnes) Olson, Dani (Jim) Kinard and Kelly (Joe) Wasson. The girls grew to women and gave Rick and Jane the gift of eleven grandchildren. These are the angel fish of all colors who jetted in and around the home filled with love and laughter. Individually and in small bunches, Rick got to see, hold and listen to them in the months before he died.

Rick Korf was a warrior with a huge and loving heart. His feelings ran strong and so did his love. He got love by the bushel in return from the people he shared his life with. In a troubled world the loss of one such as Rick “Unk” Korf is felt by all.

A brief memorial service will be held on Thursday, April 5, 2012 at 2 p.m. at the Grogan Funeral Home in Polson. Rick requested a celebration of his life be held at the Idle Spur after the services in Polson. Bring your stories, a little money for beer and reminisce about a unique and wonderful spirit that’s moved on to peace. Sorry no oysters will be served.

Rick’s ashes will be interred at the Western Montana State Veterans Cemetery in Missoula at a later date. Memorials may be sent to the Montana Waterfowl Foundation or the Disabled American Veterans. A special thanks to the caring staff at the VA Primary Care Clinic in Kalispell, the VA Hospital at Fort Harrison and Lake County Hospice. Messages of condolences may be shared with the family online at www.groganfuneralhome.com