Carmen Krussow, 50

Carmen Krussow, age 50, passed away from a brain aneurysm on July 21, 2026 at Logan Medical Center in Kalispell, surrounded by family and friends.

Carmen Ramona Krussow was born on May 21, 1976 in Hood River, Ore. to Carolene Meeks and Ramiro Garcia. In 1978 when Carolene passed away, Carmen, sister Moriah and brother David were placed up for adoption. David was placed with a family where he had already been residing and Carmen and Moriah were adopted by John and J. Patricia Krussow of Hood River, Ore.

In 2002, Carmen moved to Bigfork. Carmen fell in love with the beautiful, peaceful, town and never moved again. Carmen loved to pick huckleberries, swim in Flathead Lake, play Pokémon GO, kayak, fish, tube down the Swan River, walk Spearit, collect anything from mini figurines to antiques, yard sale, hang out with all of her friends at Kelly’s Casino and Bar and loved the color pink. 

One of the many things that gave Carmen the title, the Queen of Bigfork, is that she always helped anyone in need. Carmen opened her doors to around 40 of her son‘s friends and many other people in the community throughout her years in Bigfork and was always known for having a big heart, being full of joy, and making each day fun. Carmen loved many things but more than anything she loved being a mother. She loved her sons so very much and even worked with both of them. Carmen did everything she could do with her sons every single day and was their very best friend. Her two last phone calls were even to her sons.

Carmen ran the Dairy Queen in Bigfork for over 20 years and always gave anyone who applied an opportunity, even if it was just a stepping stone for them. She worked there with her sons for many years and hired all of their friends and their relatives and anyone with a disability. She literally hired anyone that needed a job and gave free food to the homeless. Carmen was also a CNA, a housekeeper at The INN on Bigfork Bay, a delivery driver, and loved to do side gigs such as selling homemade burritos, huckleberries, and handmade earrings and more.

Three years ago Carmen became a grandmother for the first time to a sweet little girl by her youngest son, Miles who she loved very much.

This May, Carmen celebrated her 50th birthday with Moriah and niece Marina and had a wonderful time getting to do everything she wanted to do and more. They are very grateful to have such wonderful memories with a person they loved and treasured so deeply.

Carmen is preceded in death by her birth mother Carolene; her mother J. Patricia Krussow; brother Erick Krussow; her “Grams” Violet Baker; her beloved dog Zeus; and her 26-year-old cat Rascal's, who joined her in heaven four days after her passing.

Carmen is survived by her sons, Samuel and Collin "Miles" Bishop; her grand dog Spearit, of Bigfork; granddaughter, of Seeley Lake; sister Moriah Krussow of Portland, Ore.; brother David Sughrue of Salem, Ore.; brother Michael Krussow of Ogden, Utah; brother Brian of Kalama, Wash.; sister, Molly McCord of Blue Ridge, Texas; and father, John Krussow of Hood River, Ore.; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

A graveside service will be held at Idlewilde Cemetery in Hood River, Ore. on Sunday, Aug. 9 at 2 p.m.

A celebration of life will be held in Bigfork. on Sunday, Aug. 23 at 2 p.m. at Bigfork High School.

Cards and flowers can be sent to the family household if you are not able to attend.

Carmen’s family would like to thank the Bigfork community for the most amazing abundance of love and support Carmen could have ever imagined.