Karla Sokoloski

Karla Sokoloski passed away in Denver, CO on November 28, with her husband Cory at her side. Karla was born in McLean, ND to Verlin and Mary Wald Belgarde on August 21, 1960. She grew up in Billings, MT and graduated in 1978 from Billings West High School, where she was an outstanding student and varsity athlete, an AAU Swimming Champion. She was a proud member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians. Karla attended Montana State University and graduated from the University of Montana in 1982 with a B.S. in Business Finance. Karla was a member of Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority at MSU. She met her husband Cory Sokoloski while attending the UM and they married in Billings on December 30, 1983. Karla’s passion was her family, including Kelsey (son), and daughter in law Kerstan who blessed her with three granddaughters Ellie (4 yr.) Avery (almost 2) and Winnie (4 months). She so loved spoiling “her” girls and enjoyed all things that entails.

Karla is survived by her parents Verlin and Mary Belgarde of Billings, MT; her husband of nearly 38 years, Cory Sokoloski; their son Kelsey (Kerstan) Sokoloski; granddaughters Ellie, Avery and Winnie; siblings, Bruce (Jennifer) Belgarde, Wayne (Darcy) Belgarde. Karla was preceded in death by brother Mark Belgarde (Kim) and sister Michelle Nichols.  She has eight nieces and nephews, Brock (Jenny) Belgarde, Brian and Graham Belgarde, McKenna Belgarde, Madison (Carlos) Najar, and Dustan (Sam) Nichols, Payton and Isabella Nichols; six great nephews and nieces Cruz, Kyle, Tyler, Camila, Marin and Torrey; and her mother-in-law, Georgie Sokoloski of Great Falls, MT, sister-in-law Marcie Schmitz (Sokoloski), Jeff Schmitz, and nieces Hannah Schmitz, and Madison Schmitz.

Karla’s family invites anyone who knew and loved her to attend a memorial service at Church of the Risen Christ, Denver, Co., Monday, December 6, at 2 PM. A reception will follow at the church.  For those wishing to make a charitable donation in Karla’s memory, please consider contributing to the Joanne B. Ficke Cancer Foundation, 9904 East Pinewood Avenue, Englewood CO, 80111