George Joseph Daumiller, 76
George Joseph Daumiller, 76, passed away unexpectedly June 29, 2008, at Saint Patrick Hospital in Missoula. He was born in Kalispell on March 2, 1932, to Emma and Joseph Daumiller.
George's father homesteaded in the Flathead in the early 1900s and settled in the Patrick Creek area south of Kalispell. George was raised on a farm and worked in the woods from an early age, beginning his lifelong love of the outdoors. He went to the Patrick Creek School and Flathead High School. His family often went into Kalispell and shopped at Sykes or saw a movie at the Orpheum.
George and his brother-in-law, Jack Crane, operated a sawmill in Patrick Creek in the 1950s.
George served in the Army from 1952 to 1954 in Germany. He returned to Kalispell, where he met Beverly Geirmann, whom he married Nov. 24, 1956. George began working at F.H. Stoltze Land and Lumber Company in 1957 and worked there for 45 years. He was known at Stoltze for his hard work and incredible strength. Whether he was loading lumber into a boxcar or stacking it on the inside, it typically took two men to keep up with him on the other end.
George loved nature and being outdoors. Patrick Creek and the North Fork were among his favorite places. He passed this love on to his children and also taught them to respect and appreciate all of God's beautiful creations. He taught them how to spot a good Christmas tree or a good huckleberry-picking spot at a young age. George loved trees and often would bring a young sapling home, as evidenced now by a backyard full of fir trees — he loved his trees. He also planted numerous fruit trees, gardened and grew raspberries. George was a 'jack of all trades,' and everyone knew if they had a project, George would be there to help.
When George fully retired in 2002, he took up woodworking as a hobby. He tinkered around the garage and eventually began building wooden logging trucks. He later added dump trucks and tractor trailers. He also built tables, planter boxes, birdhouses and whatever anyone asked him to build. He never had a plan — he just imagined it and built it. George was excited and eagerly gave away many of his creations, often donating them to charity auctions and events.
George and Bev were members of the Eagles Club for more than 40 years. George was a great dancer and was hard to beat at pool. He made many lifelong friends and enjoyed many happy times at the Eagles. He loved to travel, not having to go far, just to go. After retiring he often went on short road trips with Bev and his sister-in-law, Kay.
George was a quiet man. He listened and thought out his responses before offering sound, common sense advice. Although he didn't finish high school, he was the smartest person many knew. He had a subtle, dry sense of humor that often caught you by surprise.
George will be greatly missed by all of his family members and friends. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Beverly; his children, Gerry Daumiller and his wife, Marilyn, of Helena, Scott Daumiller of Kalispell, and Margie Forbes and her husband, Mark, of Oak Harbor, Wash.; his grandchildren, David Daumiller of Kingsville, Texas, Megan and Andy Forbes of Oak Harbor, and Amanda Daumiller of Kalispell; his sisters, Teresa Berentsen of Bremerton, Wash., and Mary Crane of Hannibal, Mo.; his mother-in-law, Marge Giermann; and sister-in-law, Kay Giermann. He also has four nephews, one niece, and Bev's large extended family. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and friend — 'We love you and will forever miss you.'
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 5, in the Johnson-Gloschat chapel. Family and friends will gather at the Eagles Hall after the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to ALERT Helicopter .
Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for George's family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and sign George's guest book.