Dustin Kjersem

Dustin Mitchell Kjersem was born November 10th, 1988 in Bozeman Montana to Jay Kjersem and Janet Price. He was brought home to three older sisters who adored him. Dustin hit the ground running. As soon as he figured out how to put on his shoes, he never wanted to take them off. Dustin wanted to be ready to “GO”!

Dustin's family moved to Three Forks when he was a toddler. A perfect place for a little boy who loved to fish. Growing up near the rivers, those endless summer days were spent fishing with his best buddy, Tony. If you couldn’t find them on the river, then surely you would find them skateboarding somewhere they probably weren't supposed to be. A clan of kids, always together, skating, fishing, learning about life and forming bonds that lasted his lifetime.

As a teenager, Dustin moved to Bozeman to live with his sister Jillian. Shortly after moving, he joined the Big Sky Youth Empowerment Project. His confidence grew and his passion for snowboarding and the outdoors deepened. He even went on to help instruct for a season after he graduated the program.

 While attending Bozeman High School, Dustin took a construction class. He ate it up. From that moment, he never quit building. He worked in many trades, determined to master each one. He took so much pride in his work, always making the extra effort to provide the highest quality product.

 It was actually quite rare to hear someone refer to Dustin by his name. From the time he was born he was always “Little Dude”. With age, these names changed–Duct Tape. Cupcake. Kage. Yo-Yo. I am pretty sure if we could ask him, he would tell you that in December of 2014, he earned the most gratifying title of his life. DAD. Dustin and Jessica Kirkland gave birth to our sweet, sweet Addy Mae. Dustin stepped into fatherhood with confidence, having already been the most helpful, caring, fun uncle to his niece Jadyn. Dustin was a master with a hot glue gun and googly eyes. He could sit for hours doing crafts with Addy and Stepson Zeb, so proud of every piece. His home resembled an elementary classroom because he hung everything they made. Dustin would send pictures of their work, as if his kids had just painted the Mona Lisa.

If you are a fish or an antelope, the world just became a safer place. No longer, in tandem, will Kage and his best friend Matt hunt you down. But for the rest of us, there will be a hole, a space in our world that will never be filled. Yo-Yo. Kage. Dad. We will hold you so dearly in our hearts forever. We love you.

Dustin is survived by his parents, Jay Kjersem and Janet Price; his daughter, Addy; step-son, Zeb; sisters, Desiree, Jillian and Erin; grandfather, Jim Kjersem; and many aunts and uncles.

 In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the GoFund Me (https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-dustin-kjersems-children-through-this-tragic-loss?qid=64f2e9e6bd1c5a903055c7ea37b756a2). All contributions will be put into a trust for his children.

 We will gather October 25th at 3:00 p.m. at the Headwaters State Park to remember Dustin, who he was, and tell stories about the reasons we loved him. If you plan to attend, please bring your own camp chair.