Rosalie May "Rose" Sladek

The world lost an extraordinary soul on Jan. 3, 2023, when Rosalie Sladek died peacefully at her Butte home surrounded by her husband Jim, daughter Helen and son Harris. In addition to being a loving mother and wife, Rose was an artist, business owner, nature enthusiast, and more. Her smile brightened the day even as her gentle heart eased your spirit. And her sense of humor? Well, that would make you laugh till you cried. Creativity filled every aspect of Rose’s life from her painting, beadwork, and photography to how she and Jim raised their children and ran their printing business. Rose loved being outdoors hiking and horse-back riding, gardening, and spending time with family and friends—especially at the family cabin on Flathead Lake. When home, she could often be found in her studio, a retro-fitted silo. Rose was born in Missoula in 1957 to Helen and Howard Ellis. She attended Bonner Grade School, Sentinel High School and the University of Montana. Her early work experience started at the family grocery story, Disbrow’s IGA, in Milltown. She also worked at the sawmill in Bonner for a time, then spent five years on seismograph crews across the U.S. It was on a crew that she met the love of her life Jim Sladek. They were married in 1983 and settled in Helena, where Rose first started working for Insty-Prints. When given the opportunity to have their own shop, the couple moved to Butte and opened the Insty-Prints on Park Street in 1989. Rose loved Butte and made many friends over the years, including all of her employees and customers along with everyone’s pets. Rose always had her own pets nearby as well, although none more famous than Pearl the Pug who was the Insty-Prints greeter for many years. In addition to work, Rose was active in many civic organizations including the Rotary Club, Butte Silver Bow Art Foundation, and the Back Country Horsemen. She and Jim were also members of the Little Basin Creek Volunteer Fire Department for several years. Along with her husband and children, Rose is survived by her son-in-law Gary Tilton of Dillon; her aunt Barbara Mulholland, Butte; and her sisters, brother and in-laws including Kathryn Ellis and Doug Brown, Otis Orchards, WA; Kristine Ellis, Helena; Margaret and Dennis Hult, Helena; Herb and Dee Ellis, Seeley Lake; Kathleen Sladek, Mancelona, MI; Barbara and Paul Mossner, Manchester IA; and Gerald and Lisa Sladek and Joseph and Laural Sladek, all of Charlevoix, MI. Survivors also include numerous nieces and nephews and many, many cousins. She loved them all. Cancer took Rose far too soon, but her kind spirit lingers on in those lucky enough to know and love her. A memorial service is being planned for Wednesday, March 29th at The Butte Country Club. The service will begin at Noon with a luncheon to follow. Folks will be welcome to share memories of Rose if they choose. Should anyone wish to make donations in her memory, here are organizations that Rose contributed to: Montana Public Radio (mtpr.org), or the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge in Salt Lake City (cancer.org), or to Wild Montana (wildmontana.org).

Tributes

Rosalie May "Rose" Sladek

March 12, 1957 - January 3, 2023