Gerald Leon 'Jerry' Wartick, 69

Gerald Leon "Jerry" Wartick was born in Wausaukee, Wis., on Jan. 15, 1944.

He passed away at home on July 15, 2013, in Ronan, with his family by his side.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Leon and Rosella Wartick; and his niece, Sheri (Parker) Britton.

Surviving Jerry is his wife of 49 years, Cathy; and his three children, Angela (Wartick) Carey of Portland, Christopher and Dawn Wartick of Ronan, and Jim and Margaret (Wartick) Baer of Ronan; 11 grandchildren and one great-grandson; siblings, Sam and Alice (Wartick) Gilbert of Helena, Evelyn (Wartick) Pluid of Eureka, Shirley (Wartick) Woodard of Stanford, Bill and Kathy Wartick of Kalispell, John and Marsha Wartick of Charlo, and Nancy (Wartick) Williams of Galloway, Ohio; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Jerry moved to Eureka with his family when he was 9 years old. He attended school there and graduated from Lincoln County High in 1962. 

In 1964 he married Cathy Stevens and they settled in Eureka, where he built a home and ran a small farm.

Jerry loved the outdoors and worked in the timber industry until 1978, taking a short break to help build the Libby Tunnel. When the timber industry started to decline he had an opportunity to buy a restaurant south of Ronan, Ruby's Café, which he and Cathy successfully operated until 1992. Upon selling the restaurant they purchased 10 acres between Ronan and Pablo and started right in planting trees, gardens and flower beds. Jerry bought his first cow and built up a very nice herd of 20 cows and calves. Up to late last year, he worked driving truck for Treasure State Concrete which he said was his favorite job of all that he'd had.

Jerry worked hard all his life. Every place he owned he made into a wonderful home with gardens and animals. Everyone was welcome and always invited in for coffee or dinner. The answer was always yes, whenever a friend needed help. There was nothing he couldn't do when he set his mind to it. His strong presence will be greatly missed.