Mike Jahner, 77
Mike Jahner passed away 'to his final resting place in heaven' on Nov. 13, 2005, after a 14-year battle with cancer.
Born on Aug. 16, 1928, in Regent, N.D., Mike was the second of eight children born to Simon and Monica Jahner. The family had a dry-land farm where they all learned the meaning of hard work. Mike attended the rural Regent County School system.
He went on to serve in the U.S. Army engineering division in Okinawa, from 1952 to 1954, when he was honorably discharged.
On Nov. 22, 1954, he marred Rose Steiner at St. Plasidus Church. In March 1955, the couple moved to Montana and settled in East Missoula. In 1971, Mike and Rose established M & R Court, owning it for 22 years.
Throughout his life Mike worked in the construction industry, with the majority of it in the concrete business. In 1979, he went to work for the City of Missoula Street Department where he retired in 1991.
Mike enjoyed many activities. He had a passion for pitching horseshoes where he advanced to the world championships three times, taking first place twice and ending second once.
Mike was known for his card playing and dancing which, combined with the couple's joy of traveling, allowed him to have fun in their motor home while seeing the country and wintering in Arizona.
Mike spent a great deal of time cutting meat and making sausage after he retired. He never understood why the grandkids would put maple syrup on his sausage.
Mike was a longtime member of the American Legion, Post No. 27.
'Many neighbors and friends were blessed by Dad's generous gifts of time, care and compassion. He will be dearly missed and remembered.'
Mike is survived by Rose, his wife of 51 years; his children, son, Jim and Tami, of Kalispell; daughter, Melody and Tim Maxwell, of Missoula; and son, Brian and Karen, of Missoula; 13 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren; a sister, Mary and Pete Welch, of Dickinson, N.D.; three brothers, Val and Mildred, of Regent, Randy and Jane of Lemmon, S.D., and Frank and Dianne of Bottineau, N.D.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Valerie and husband, Chuck Huck; one grandson, Troy Huck; brother, Pete and wife, Pat; and two sisters, Veronica and husband, John Benz, and Gladys and husband, George Hanchett.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that you send memorials to Partners Hospice and Palliative Care Services, 2678 Palmer St. Suite B, Missoula, MT 59808.
Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 17, followed by recitation of the Rosary at 7 p.m. at Garden City Funeral Home, Missoula. A funeral mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 18, at St. Francis Xavier Church followed by a graveside service at Sunset Memorial Cemetery in Missoula with military honors provided by Veterans of Missoula. A luncheon will be held at St. Francis Xavier following the interment service at the cemetery. Pallbearers will be Mike's grandsons, Nick Huck, Luke Huck, Bryce Jahner, Brock Jahner, and Nick Jahner.