Vicki Byrd Rinck, 74

Vicki (Victoria) Joy Byrd Rinck, of Coram, Montana, departed this life on June 3, 2026.

The daughter of Bernida Cheff Byrd and Herman Byrd, Vicki entered this life July 20, 1951, in Kalispell, Montana. 

She was the 9th of 12 children and is survived by Claudette (Byrd) Wieck of Portland, Oregon, Gabriella (Byrd) Egging of Clinton, Iowa, Marie (Byrd) Johnston of Creston, Gerard Byrd, and Ovila Byrd of Martin City.

She attended Martin City Grade School, Columbia Falls Junior High and High School, and Fort Wright College of the Holy Names in Spokane, WA, for a semester, then married her high school sweetheart, Bill Rinck, on June 6, 1970. After marriage, she attended Washington State University with her husband, Bill.  She loved learning and continued her education through FVCC. Bill preceded her in death at their home in Coram, July 16, 2014.

Vicki lived in Martin City (1951-70, 1973-75), Pullman, WA (1970-73), Columbia Falls ( 1975-78, 1980-81), Isle La Motte, VT (1979), and Coram (1981-present).

Vicki’s “greatest joy” was the blessings of her children, Cecilia (granddaughter Apani) and her husband Jeremy of Coram; Moses and his wife Ana (granddaughter Victoria and grandson Antonio) of Pahrump, NV; and Claudette and her husband Justin (granddaughter Bijoux) of Columbia Falls.

She was a creator of beauty, an artist. She embraced spring, summer, fall, and winter. She loved the birds’ spring songs and mourned the quiet of songs in summer. She loved nature, the land, earth, and water. She enjoyed deep conversations, thought-provoking spiritual readings, and poetry.  

She loved long drives. She was a lifelong learner, a listener, and curious. 

She valued family history. She found joy in hard work and getting things done. 

She was always willing to lend a helping hand. She healed with her hands. She loved to laugh. She cherished her big family and loved her family dearly. “Family is everything,” she would say. 

She was a loving mother, grandma, wife, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend. She was easy to love and will be deeply missed. 

In honor of Vicki, memorials may be made to Jim Byrd’s Fund for the Poor, St. Richard Catholic Church, P.O. Box 2073, Columbia Falls, MT 59912. 

Burial and celebration of Vicki took place on June 9, 2026, at the family home, Aknissal.