Michael Lee Ellersick, 59

Michael Lee Ellersick, 59, was born in Bonners Ferry, Idaho, on Nov. 17, 1955, to Frank & Loreen Ellersick.

He passed peacefully on Nov. 18 surrounded by his wife and children after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

A celebration of Michael’s life was held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2014 in the Brookhollow Ward LDS Chapel located at 2650 S. Five Mile Rd., Boise. Private family gatherings will be held prior to the service. Friends are invited to remain at the conclusion of the services to socialize and visit with the family.

Growing up, he excelled in academics, sports, and student council. He took great pride in where he was from and loved his childhood and those he grew up with. He spoke often of memories made with his brothers wreaking havoc, summers on the lake with his grandfather and times spent at scout camp with his father.

He graduated with honors from Idaho State University. He and his family moved to Boise where he began his career as a CPA with Arthur Anderson. His career included IHFA, AMX Int. and Idaho Timber. An overachiever in life, he excelled at and took great pride in his professional life. Mike made some of his closest lifelong friends through work.

Mike’s true passion, however, was his family. Mike and Bonnie met at Ricks College in 1974, married in 1975 in the Salt Lake temple and immediately began their family, growing up right along with their children. A devoted family man, Mike placed a high priority on raising his kids. He was a man who could always be counted on to coach his kids’ teams, and was scoutmaster and youth leader/mentor for many.

Always a joker, he had a particular love for kids and an ability to relate to them.

Mike and Bonnie were avid movie-goers – their Friday night dates began when their children were young and continued right up until the end. They loved to travel and explore new places, work on their yard, and their greatest joy was spending time with their grandkids.

Mike is survived by his loving wife of 40 years, Bonnie; his children Justin (Hannah), Wendy (Ben), Jennifer (Aaron), Paul (Whitney); 10 grandchildren, Grace, Haylee, Gavin, Paige, Miley, Addison, Peyton, Brooklyn, Jackson and Zoey; his mother, Loreen; brothers, Steve and John; sisters, Victoria and Marji; and in-laws, Harold and Jeniece Hebdon. He is preceded in death by his father, Frank.

His family wishes to thank Idaho Timber for their understanding and generous accommodations. Many thanks also to Dr. Bucur and the staff at MSTI Meridian who took wonderful care of both Mike and Bonnie for the last 10 years. Additional thanks to the staff of the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance and UW Medical Center.

Michael will be greatly missed by many! His family loves you – thanks, Dad, for being a “top-notch” coach. Go team!