James W 'Zeke' Solsvig

9/8/1948 — 5/27/2024

James W “Zeke” Solsvig, spent his early years in Minneapolis. He was a cross country and track star at Southwest High School in Minneapolis. He was a three-time state champion in high school.

He sold a successful painting business and moved to Sandpoint and continued as a painting contractor. He spent most of his adult years living at his home on Baldy Mountain. He owned several acres where he nurtured many varieties of wild huckleberries.

Zeke was active in civic affairs with the Sandpoint Kiwanis Club and also active in recreational pursuits of fishing, hunting, skiing, and canoeing.

Zeke was a U.S. Army Ranger and parachuted out of aircraft over 50 times with the 82nd Airborne. 

Zeke was his happiest skiing down from the top of Baldy and conquering runs at Schweitzer. He once canoed from Bonners Ferry, through Canada, and back down the Columbia beyond Grand Coulee Dam.

He was preceded in death by his father, Donald O. Solsvig, and brother Donald O. Solsvig Jr. Zeke is survived by his mother, Edna Solsvig; brothers Gary Solsvig (wife Debbie), Dennis Solsvig (Whitney Pohl); sister, Linda Cresta (husband, James); sister-in-law Betty Solsvig, Verna Gabel (sweetheart of 29 years); six nieces, five nephews, and many friends. His ashes will be spread on his beloved Baldy Mountain.