On May 6, 2020, at 12:28 AM Rock Brekhus passed away peacefully at the Cherry Creek Nursing Center in Aurora Colorado. His passing was the result of primary progressive multiple sclerosis complicated by a recent Covid-19 viral infection. He was 62 years old.

His brother Kit was by his side just hours before he passed, surrounded by other family members connected by telephone. They shared memories with Rock of special times, sang hymns, read Bible verses and prayed together.

Rock was born on August the 21st, 1957 in Sidney, Montana to Rosvel Leander and Arvella Mable Brekhus. He was the youngest of five children: Pete, Holly, Duke, Kit, and Rock.

Rock was a man of many talents who touched many lives in multiple ways throughout his life. As a boy growing up on “the farm” just north of Sidney, Rock was fond of taking things apart. The family was always amazed that he could put them back together – at least most of the time, that is.

His curiosity taught him a lot. He grew up to become a master carpenter, draftsman, designer and artisan. ”Rock can build anything” was a common refrain from those who knew him. From intricate carvings and curios to fine furniture, to multi-million-dollar custom homes, Rock lived up to his reputation as one who could build most anything. For Rock, only the best was good enough.

Rock attended primary and secondary school in Sidney graduating from Sidney Senior High School in 1975. He went on to study computer assisted drafting at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo. He also studied drafting and diesel mechanics at Columbia College in Sonora CA. Rock did well in school, but it was real life experience that taught him the most. He was a lifetime learner. His passion for learning, his love for solving problems served him well.

He had hobbies and lots of interests too. He was a student of American history and especially enjoyed reading about those extra-ordinary men and women who helped to shape our nation. He liked music, played guitar, and fixed things. And oh, how he loved his dogs. He had many. Jake his favorite malamute and Danner, his faithful companion in the later years were particularly dear to him. They went everywhere together.

Rock had many friends too. He cultivated abiding friendships all over the country, from the early days in Sidney, to school in California, to life in Alaska. He made countless friends later on, back in Montana as well. It was there, he lived most of his professional life. He built a dream home for his wife Sharon and himself in Bozeman and it was in nearby Big Sky Montana where he and Sharon built a thriving business from scratch – “Design Build Construction.” He made still more friends in Colorado where he spent the last 9 years of his life. Everywhere Rock went he made new friends.

Along the way, Rock fell in love with Sharon Gillespie. They met in Alaska in 1976 and were married on March 1, 1986 in Pasadena, California. When they weren’t working, the two were inseparable. They adored each other and, in many ways, completed one another. Each brought special talents and unique gifts to the relationship. They respected one another and treasured each other’s company.

Rock became a second father to Sharon’s children Raymond and Karen. Karen was married and left home fairly early on, but Ray was only 8 years old when Rock and Sharon met. So, from early on, Ray considered Rock to be his “dad”. Rock and Ray became especially close. They worked together in the building industry for many years. Ray will say with pride: “Dad taught me everything I know.” The two developed a special bond; one that will live on.

Life, for Rock, Sharon and the family, was good. Things were going well until one Montana morning in 2011 when everything changed. Life would never be the same again. Suddenly that morning Sharon suffered a life-threatening stroke – a ruptured brain aneurysm. She spent more than a month in an ICU in Seattle, mostly in a coma. Rock never left her side. Thankfully, Sharon recovered.

It was in the months after that, Rock began to experience visual disturbances and gait abnormalities. He was diagnosed in 2012 with Multiple sclerosis. Through faith Rock took on the challenge with grace and determination. Though the disease proved relentless, Rock never complained. He was always grateful for every care giver, for every kindness, for every simple gesture. In his final days he had the nurses at Cherry Creek wrapped around his fingers. Though they came from such different backgrounds and had so little in common with Rock, they all seemed to love that humble, unassuming man from Montana.

Rock was preceded in death by his dad who he adored in 1969, by his beloved mother in 2015, and by his dear sister Holly in 2019. Rock loved them all dearly and they all had a deep and abiding love for Rock as well. We’re grateful the four are reunited once again.

He was also preceded in death by his stepfather Carl Skurdal (2018). Carl was married to Arvella for many years.

Those of us left behind are comforted through faith. Rock was a believer. He was baptized and confirmed in the Christian faith at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Sidney. He was, throughout life, a quiet, steadfast believer, a lifelong Lutheran who held fast to the teachings and the traditions of the Missouri Synod Lutheran Church. He loved the Lord and was confident in his salvation. He left this life secure in the promise of everlasting life through his faith in Jesus Christ.

Rock will be greatly missed. The family will transport him back to Sidney where he will be interred next to his dad Rosvel in the Sidney Cemetery on Thursday May the 14th. A small family funeral will be held at the Fulkerson funeral home prior to burial. Anyone wishing to offer a remembrance is encouraged to share their sentiments by USPS or e-mail with Rock’s brother Duke (dukebrekhus at gmail.com) who will share with the rest of Rock’s family.

Those wishing to send flowers are encouraged to donate to the National MS Society in lieu of flowers. The Brekhus family wishes to thank family and friends everywhere for their outpouring of love and grief, for all the well wishes, and for all the prayers that continue to pour in. God Bless.