Geno Stahlberg, 81

Geno Stahlberg, known for his magnificent big white mustache, passed away Jan. 31 at Logan Health Medical Center after a battle with heart failure. He was born in Greenbush, Minnesota to Harold and Olga Stahlberg on Aug. 18, 1941. When he was 3 years old, he and his siblings rode the train to the Flathead Valley with their mother. He was raised on a farm with seven of his siblings: Muriel, Bud (Harold), Yvonne (Bunny), Wayne, Clark, Bryan and Gordon.

When he was in his late teens, he met his soon-to-be wife of 60 years, Lila Knudson, while roller skating at Lake Blane. Together, they had three children: Scott, Jill, and Chele. He began his career at Buttreys Foods as a box boy and ended up with a transfer to Glendive as an assistant manager in the new store. From there, we went to Billings, where he worked as a manager and opened up two new stores. After six years in Billings, he transferred to Wenatchee, Washington to open a new store. After four years there, we came back home to the Flathead Valley, where he worked for two of his brothers, constructing roads in the woods. He finally ended up working for USF Reddaway delivering freight; through this job, he met many wonderful people, and everywhere we went, we would meet up with somebody he knew.

After retiring at the age of 67, he enjoyed spending time back out in the woods, camping and hunting with family and friends; he was also fond of playing cards, especially if he won, and he always enjoyed a good John Wayne movie. He loved his family most of all, and appreciated every opportunity that he had to spend time with them.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father; and siblings, Muriel, Fern, Bud, Bunny, Wayne and Clark

He is survived by his wife, Lila; his children, Scott (Wendy), Jill (Dan Lyford), and Chele; six grandchildren, Travis, Ben, Josh (Kati) and Emma Stahlberg, and Kelsey and Kimi Lyford; and two brothers, Bryan and Gordon.

Geno will be missed by many.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for the family. Memorial is currently pending, and will most likely occur in late spring or early summer in hopes of better weather for family and friends traveling from out of state.