George Eden Schulze, 81
“And God said … This man is tired … Bring him home …”
George “Georgie” Schulze “was sent home to our heavenly Father” on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2018, after a lengthy battle with multiple myeloma cancer. His determination to live was unparalled, but he finally succumbed to this terrible disease, surrounded by his wife Elaine, daughter Jolene, and sons Scott and Todd. He was 81.
George was preceded in death by his father and mother, George Sr. and Anna Schulze, his brother Gerald Schulze, son Daniel Schulze, niece Roxie Menish, and brother in-law Randy Wallette.
Survivors include his wife, Elaine Schulze, of 50 years, from Kalispell, brother Roger Schulze of Las Vegas, brother Elmer Schulze (Monica), sister Deborah Wallette, all from Kalispell, daughter Lori Hurley (Larry) of Kingston, Washington, daughter Jolene Sipe (Brian), son Scott Foster (Bonita), son Todd Foster (Patty), all from Kalispell, daughter in-law Glenda Schulze, sisters in-law, Genevieve Schulze and Eileen Kis, all from Kalispell, brother in-law Marvin and wife Maggie Lundberg of Dillon, sisters in-law Andrea Lundberg of Hamilton, and Mavis Faverty of Golden Valley, Arizona, grandchildren Tara and Austin Nightingale, Brandan, Bryan and Brayden Schulze, Vencil Trusty, Brittany, Justin and Timothy Foster, and nine great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews that loved their uncle “Georgie.”
He leaves behind special friends of many years, Doug Davis of Sun Lakes, Arizona, John and Jean Martello, John and Rhonda Gibbs, Brent Menish and Mark and Kim Martinson from Kalispell. All who met George became a friend.
George was born on May 19, 1936, on a farm in Drammen Township,
Lincoln County, Minnesota, to George F. and Anna Schulz, then moved to Ivanhoe, Minnesota, where they also farmed. In 1950 George Sr. decided it was time to move the family west, so George, Anna, Jerry, Georgie and little brother Roger headed west and came to Kalispell where George Sr. bought a farm on Whitefish road, now called Whitefish Stage. There they started raising dairy cattle. George Jr. started his freshman year at Flathead County High School where he graduated in 1954. Jerry and Roger decided to take a different path in life while George Jr. stayed to help his father with the family business. So, in the early ‘70s it was incorporated to Kal-Mont Dairy.
George Jr. was a man of many talents and diversities. When the farming industry pretty much shut down in the valley, he traded his cows in for a semi.
Thus, Schulze Trucking was born. George and Elaine logged many miles over-the-road trucking. He also was co-owner of the Village Greens Golf Course which was built on the family farm land. When George had decided that over-the-road trucking was enough he then started Schulze Construction where he did a lot of construction work on the golf course and housing developments, as well as numerous other projects here in the valley. He worked construction up until his retirement.
George was in the Army National Guard for 29 years when he retired as an E8 (master sergeant). He was president for many years for the Montana Dairyman’s Association and the Flathead Dairyman’s Association, as well as a member of the Eagles for 50 years. George was a realtor and involved in numerous other organizations.
His hobbies included woodworking, camping, fishing and he loved his boat. He enjoyed golfing and bowling, playing cards and cribbage, digging for sapphires and taught himself how to facet the gems he and Elaine had found.
He was a good husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
He will be loved and missed by so many that he had the opportunity to chat with and hearts that he had touched.
Cremation has taken place and services will be announced at a later date.
Friends are encouraged to visit the website, www.buffalohillfh.com, to leave notes of condolence for the family. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the family.