Michael Jackson

Michael (Mike) Todd Jackson, 73, peacefully passed away April 6, 2021. He was born to James Jackson, Sr. and Betty Jackson on April 6, 1948 in Grinnell, Iowa, and was raised in central Illinois with his brother James “Jim”. As a young adult he attended Culver Military Academy, in Culver, Indiana. Mike, a 1971 graduate of Hanover College in Indiana joined Lambda Chi Alpha and enjoyed 54 years of close friendships with over 36 fraternity brothers and spouses visiting almost every year throughout the U.S.

After graduation, Mike went on to work in the family business of commercial banking in the Midwest. After three decades working in the banks, it was the family’s decision to sell, thus prompting his move to Fort Lauderdale, Florida to pursue his love of boating. Connecting through a personal ad in Florida, Mike met his lifelong partner, Marcie Kurta. After several years of sun-filled courtship, the two were married on the Florida Intercoastal in January of 1991.

They traveled extensively, landing on St. John in the US Virgin Islands for a year. Upon returning stateside, the two continued their travels in an RV, seeing all of North America from Canada to Mexico and everywhere in between. During these years of road tripping, they stumbled into Whitefish. Lifting roots from Florida, the pair moved to Whitefish full-time in 1992. Shortly thereafter, their first and only child, Sage, was born in 1996.

Michael enjoyed the outdoors and sports, with his license plate forever reading “GOLFSKI”. Hiking, fishing, skiing and boating were some of his favorites, and during the warmer months he was frequently found on the golf course. Always one to enjoy the simplest things in life, he loved sitting in the shade during the evenings in the heat of summer, enjoying the beauty of Montana from his yard.

A caring, loving husband, father and incredible man, he will be deeply missed by us all. Mike is survived by his wife Marcie, daughter Sage, brother’s family, Marcie’s family and several nieces, nephews and great nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks to please donate to a cancer nonprofit and/or research organization of your choice, or to our local nonprofit, Flathead Cancer Aid Services. A celebration of life will be held Friday, April 16th at the Whitefish Lake Golf Course from 1pm to 3pm.

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