Charlotte A Barger Geist

Our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, surrounded by family, passed away peacefully in her home on February 20, 2024 at the age of 88.

Charlotte was born on March 20, 1935 in Cadiz, Ohio to Dennis and Mable Mizer. She was the oldest of four siblings. After graduating from Cadiz High School, she attended White Cross Nursing School in Columbus, Ohio graduating with an RN degree.

She married Roland “Ron” Barger on October 9, 1955. With Ron’s Forest Service career, they moved to Fort Collins, CO, Boston, MA, Flagstaff, AZ and finally settled in Missoula, Montana. Every move added new adventures, new friends, and plenty of amazing memories. 

After Ron’s passing in 1993, Charlotte continued with family, community, and church activities as well as traveling. She got reacquainted with a family friend from their time in Fort Collins. The relationship blossomed and she and Jon Michael Geist were married on June 10, 2001. This expanded her family to include Michael’s children, grandchildren and great-grandson. They became snow birds establishing a winter home in Brenda, AZ. This winter community added to their adventures and friendships.

Charlotte worked as a nurse in Fort Collins, Flagstaff and Missoula. She retired from the University of Montana Health Service in 1990. Nursing was a profession that fit her personality perfectly-she was a care giver to the end. Charlotte was an active member of the First United Methodist Church in Missoula since 1972. She stayed busy with her children’s activities as well as UMW, PEO, Forestry Triangle and other community and club functions. Her family and faith were the center of her life. Charlotte’s love for family and friends was immense and she will be greatly missed.

Charlotte is survived by her husband Michael;  her children Kathy and Jim Heisler, Anna and John Wiltzen, Paul and Karen Barger and Dennis Barger; step-children Jeff Geist, Donna and Chas Thomas and Jon and Deanna Geist; sisters Denise Miller and Marian Dewitt; sisters-in-law Maureen Stevenson, Deanna Mizer and Gretchen and Pat Crowe; nieces and nephews; 13 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.

The family would like to acknowledge and give a special thanks to Home Health and Hospice of MT, especially Dr. Kendra Lee, Charly and Natalie for their compassion, kindness and assistance. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to First United Methodist Church, Missoula, MT, Home Health and Hospice of MT, Alzheimer’s Association, or an organization of your choice.

A celebration of life will be held on May 11, 2024 at 2:00 pm at Garden City Funeral Home.