Fond remembrance for Steve Marquesen

Friends, family and beloved employees packed the Back Room restaurant and bar Monday afternoon to pay tribute to owner Steve Marquesen.

Marquesen died on Aug. 22  after a struggle with Alzheimer’s, his family noted. 

While there were certainly plenty of tears shed, there were also great moments of laughter at the gathering, where people told fond stories of the remarkable businessman, who moved to the valley in 1979 and purchased the Nite Owl and later added the Back Room, known for its slow-cooked ribs and other delectable meals. 

Marquesen was an avid skier and son Jay recalled the offer of a free ski pass if he agreed to give his father a ride home on Wednesday nights from the lifts. 

The road had 13 turns on the way down from Big Mountain. Steve reminded the young Marquesen that fact every trip. 

While there were plenty of bumps in their relationship over the years, they also worked 20 years together. 

“He created a business the town rallied behind. Supported every organization he could. Every one of you helped my father along the way. He was humble, kind, gracious and generous,” Jay said. 

Longtime friend Rob Riso recalled one saying Marquesen often used, which they called “svenisms.” 

“When Marka (Steve’s wife) goes on a diet, I lose weight,” Marquesen would joke. It was all too true though. 

His business partner Jana Price said in a tribute read by her sister she only came to work for him in that first year as a favor for a friend. She had no intention of staying. That was 47 years ago. 

He molded her from a wallflower into a woman with self confidence, where her opinion mattered and they were equals in business decisions. 

Longtime waitress Cassie Trenerry recalled being hired as a sassy 19-year-old. 

Marquesen would become a father figure, attending her wedding and even taking time from skiing to snowboard with her. 

“He was not only my boss, he was my Dad,” she said. 

Columbia Falls photographer Randy Bocksnick said 15 years ago Marquesen said he could show his pictures on an entire west wall of the Nite Owl. 

At 82, he’s been hanging them there ever since. 

“He showed a certain kind of love of this restaurant and this community that would make your heart swell,” recalled friend and business partner Joe Francini. “The family here at the Nite Owl is indeed a family.” 

Cheers.

    Steve Marquesen at the Nite Owl/Back Room in 1996.