Mait Birgitt Erickson Board died in the early morning hours of December 10, 2025, at St. Patrick’s Hospital in Missoula, Montana as a result of kidney failure. She was 84 years old.
Mait was born February 10, 1941, in Kansas City, Missouri. She was the second child of Knut Gottfried and Aina Frideborg Linnea Erickson (Andersson). In her youth, she enjoyed spending time outdoors with her sister and their dog; sunbathing, swimming, and playing with her neighborhood friends.
Growing up she excelled in academics. After graduating high school, she attended Bethany Lutheran
College, graduating summa cum laude. She continued her education at the University of Wyoming where she received her master’s in American Studies. She also attended the University of Kansas where she began her doctoral studies in English. During her collegiate career she was president of Beta Tau Sigma scholastic honorary, a member of Sigma Phi Omega sorority and Gold Key, national women’s honorary, and she was listed in the “Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities”. She was brilliant and driven.
In 1963, while attending The University of Wyoming, Mait met John and in 1965 they married in Mission Hills, Kansas. After marrying, they moved to Great Falls, Montana where Mait attended the University of Great Falls to obtain her teaching credentials. In 1966, Mait and John spent the summer at the Library of Congress researching Jeanette Rankin. Later, in 1967, Mait taught English at Hellgate High School in Missoula. The couple returned to Great Falls and started their family. In 1970, John-David Hicks Board was born followed by Andrew Erickson Cox Board in 1972. She was a devoted and loving mother to her two boys.
In 1980, the family moved to Helena during which time Mait served as a proofreader for the Montana Legislative Council. Four years later the Boards moved to Portland, Connecticut where Mait completed the paralegal program at Hartford College for Women and served as a paralegal in Middletown. While in Connecticut, Mait was the president of the Greater Middletown League of Women voters.
In 1996, Mait and John returned to Helena where Mait worked for the Dennis Loveless Law Firm until her retirement in 2006. Mait continued her lifelong dedication to the Lutheran Church, being active in numerous church groups, singing in the choir, teaching Sunday School, and serving as a member of various church committees. She went on missions to both Latin American and Mexico and attended other National Lutheran women’s programs.
Mait was in service to her community in many capacities. She was a member of the League of Women Voters, an election judge, and always found ways to lift up those in need. In her leisure time, she was an avid reader and belonged to numerous book clubs. Mait was very active and enjoyed walking with friends, swimming, and kettlebells. She loved a good game of Trivial Pursuit (always winning), played Words with Friends online, and never missed a chance to play Bunco with friends.
Mait’s list of dear friends is long. They knew her to be kind, humble, and compassionate. She will be remembered for her sense of humor and laughter. Her kindness knew no bounds, and she embodied a welcoming spirit where everyone was just a “friend you haven’t met yet”.
Mait was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her husband John, her sister Ruth Ostlind, her two children John-David and Andrew, her grandchildren Nicholas and Haylan, and her daughter-in-law Stephanie.
Funeral services will be held at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 1000 Helena Avenue, Helena, Montana at 11:00 am, Friday, December 19, 2025. Mait will be interred at Forest Vale Cemetery in Helena, Montana at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to St. John’s Lutheran Church in care of Bob’s Pantry at Helena Middle School for children facing food insecurity.
Special thanks to the staff of St Peter’s Hospital in Helena and St Patrick’s Hospital in Missoula, Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, and all the friends who sent condolences, food, and additional support.
Please send condolences and personal comments to www.aswfuneralhome.com.
A live stream of the service can be found on YouTube via St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church Helena, Montana.
