Frederick William Herman Griepp, 98
Frederick William Herman Griepp, 98, passed away on July 20, 2019, staying in his own home of 69 years and achieving his goal of not going to a nursing home. His death marks the end of an era as he was the longest-living person ever on both sides of his family.
Born on June 26, 1921, he was the 13th child of the fourth generation of Americans that emigrated from Germany in 1871. He was born on a dairy farm outside of Shawano, Wisconsin. After high school, he served in the Army Occupational Forces. After serving his country and going back to the farm, he and his brother decided to head to Kalispell where he met his beautiful wife-to-be, Helen Viola Holmquist. They had eight children, including one set of twins. Their extended family includes 17 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and five great-great-grandchildren.
Fred, or Fritz, as some called him, was an avid hunter, master fisherman, and super-gardener. His self-employed business, “Homes of Enchantment,” described dozens of his custom-built homes in the Flathead Valley. He took early retirement to become his wife’s caregiver for the next 20 years.
He attended the Assemblies of God church, now called Canvas, for almost 65 years. He served on their board, was an usher and, for 30 years, was a Royal Ranger leader. He helped build the Glacier Bible Camp in Hungry Horse and donated the most volunteer hours in construction of the Lighthouse Group Home. He was a lifetime member of Gideons International and Flathead Wildlife Inc. He was known for helping with church youth groups and big family parties. Fred was well-known for cooking and donating “pike-burgers” and homemade apple pies to Canvas’ senior luncheons, Sykes Community Thanksgivings and Samaritan House.
Fred was always busy finding projects to do. The family worked as a team while huckleberry picking, bugling elk, camping, gardening and playing games. He instilled in his children a love for God and others, values of faithfulness, excellence, inclusion, and respect for nature, strong work ethics and an understanding of developmentally disabled children.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 53 years, Helen Holmquist Griepp; her eight siblings; his parents, Frank Sr. and Bertha (Jeudes) Griepp; his 12 siblings; granddaughters, Laura Wheeler and Sarah Clinchers, as well as Josh Clinchers.
He is survived by his children, Mary Jo (Tony Wheeler); Joyce Tucker (Clint Weyrauch); Janice Griepp; Ronald Griepp; Ronda (Kevin Neitzling); Colleen (Alan Nolan); Theresa (Brad Empie); and Tammy Griepp. He also leaves behind his grandchildren, Mark and Camille, Shannon, Jeremy, David, Jonathan and Nicole, Katelyn, Kallai and Chris, Kaleb, Kadeesh and Robert, Adyn and Josh, Aubrey and Trent, Daniel and Kate, Andrea and James, Tim and Joel; great-grandchildren, Alex, Aiden; Lauren, Lindsay, Skyler; Noah, Wiley; Kenadee, Madison; Jaxon, Derrick; Schyler (Helena); Shae; Zachary, Eva, Anna; Annora, Emberlynn; great-great-grandchildren, Lilly, Everlee; Saelor, Fable, Brady.
A memorial celebration officiated by the Rev. Bob Ross will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 31, at Canvas Church, 255 Summit Ridge Drive, Kalispell. Use the West Entrance; elevator on left, to the lower auditorium. A reception follows at 11:30 a.m. A 1:30 p.m. graveside service with military honors will be held at C.E. Conrad Cemetery, 641 Conrad Drive, Kalispell.
Memories may be posted on the Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home website. Memorial contributions may be made to Gideons International, P.O. Box 1305, Kalispell, MT 59903; Flathead Wildlife Inc., P.O. Box 4, Kalispell, MT 59903; or Canvas Church.