Gerald D. Schlagel, age 79 of Townsend

Gerald Duane Schlagel passed away on December 5, 2018 in Helena, MT. He was born March 13, 1939 to Philip and Anna Benora (Holm) Schlagel. Gerald grew up on the family farm in Froid, MT before going to Montana State University where he earned a degree in Civil Engineering. He worked a brief period of time for the Bureau of Land Management in WY before moving to the Seattle area. He moved back to the Froid area where he farmed as well as managed a farming operation that took him to Canada and Brockton area. He eventually opened an auto parts store in Culbertson and left the farming to others. It was at this time that he hired a lifetime friend, Ramona Ross, to work with him. They continued this friendship throughout their lives. He was responsible for growing Ramona’s nativity sets as he searched for unique ones every year. Eventually, Gerald got out of the parts industry and continued working in Culbertson providing fertilizer to area farmers. Gerald was an entrepreneur at heart as he also started buildingch a business in the Amway corporation and was a proud representative throughout his life.

Gerald followed a path that ultimately led him to Townsend where he remained until his passing. It was in this small town that Gerald’s roots took to life as he made many lasting friendships including Orv Riley and others that met with him each morning at 10 a.m. for coffee and treats. His neighbor, Valarie Baraza and family became his extended family of sorts. He maintained a towing business that afforded great relationships with the various law enforcement personnel as he serviced their towing needs. Gerald was very committed to his Baptist faith and local church family. He was also very involved in supporting most local events, but especially those dealing with the school kids and anything associated with Dorothy Hahns’ pies. Generosity is one word that everyone would use to describe him with the more notable ones coming to light after his passing. Every month for the last three years he would send a dozen red roses to the nurses at St. Pete’s Cancer Center to brighten their day. He would never let the florist disclose who he was. He would even take a flower with him on his towing calls when the individual(s) sounded like they were having a bad day…he wanted to give them something good to hang onto on a bad day! He loved his nephews and nieces including his great nephews and nieces and made every effort to either visit them during their school years or their graduation ceremonies usually without prior heads up of his arrival. He was known in the family for giving unusual gifts to the entire family during the Holidays.

Gerald was preceded in death by three sisters, Marie Joy Schlagel, Helen Heinle, Ruth Casteel, his parents Philip and Anna Schlagel. He is survived by two sisters, Charlotte Anvik and Evelyn (Emil) Schmidt and one brother, Arnold Schlagel.

He will be forever missed by his many nephews and nieces, great nephews and nieces and great great nephews and nieces.

A memorial service will take place at 11 a.m., Saturday, December 8^th at Faith Baptist Church, 5 Jack Farm Rd., Townsend, MT 59644. A viewing will be held 1 hour prior to the memorial service. A reception will follow the memorial service at the church. Interment will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers memorials in Gerald’s name may be made to The Mason Moore Foundation, www.themasonmoorefoundation.com or The Barbara Kirscher Fund, BCHF PO Box 1218 Townsend, MT 59644.

Service Schedule

Viewing

10:00 a.m.

Saturday December 8, 2018

Faith Baptist Church

5 Jack Farm Road

Townsend, Montana 59644

View map

Memorial Service

11:00 a.m.

Saturday December 8, 2018

Faith Baptist Church

5 Jack Farm Road

Townsend, Montana 59644

View map

Reception

Following the service

Saturday December 8, 2018

Faith Baptist Church

5 Jack Farm Road

Townsend, Montana 59644

View map

Share

Send flowers

Please visit the floral shop page for assistance in choosing a local florist.

Photo Gallery

No photos have been submitted yet.
Click here to share yours.