Jeanne Wilson Sticht

Jeanne Wilson Sticht, Sr., 90, passed away Wednesday, June 17, 2015 at St. Patrick Hospital, Missoula, of natural causes surrounded by loved ones.
Jeanne was born January 22, 1925 in Missoula, Montana to Arthur Charles Sticht and Pearl Elizabeth Steele. His mother had decided on the name Jeannette for a girl and "chopped off the –tte" when this boy was born. He was raised on a truck farm and enjoyed gardening all his life.
Jeanne was a career military man. He loved his years of adventure in the U.S. Army Air Corps and Air Force, travelling around the U.S. and world, with his nine children being born in eight different locations. He served during World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam War, including volunteering for a dangerous mission atop a plateau above the Ho Chi Minh Trail of Laos. He retired as a Major in 1966, returning to Missoula.
Jeanne was a master of bad puns. He fearlessly made new friends everywhere he went. He issued a loud, piercing whistle when calling the kids to dinner. He lined up the kids oldest to youngest to introduce them to visitors. He sawed down trees as high as ninety-two feet in "God's Country" and made lumber from them. He taught his children and grandchildren about trees, mushrooms, chipmunks and fishing at "the cabin" at Lake Inez, his favorite place on earth. He was the ultimate handyman, with a philosophy of clean it first and make it to last. He spent years crafting beautiful woodwork projects.
Jeanne was preceded in death by his parents, half-sister (Earlene Hopkins Lovinger), two half-brothers (Gerard and Edgar Hopkins), sister (Dorothy Sticht Davis), infant brother (Melvin Carroll Sticht), and granddaughter (Angela Jane Downing).
He is survived by his sister (Phyllis Sticht Sandau) and many beloved extended relatives.
Jeanne is survived by his children, Bette Jeanne Corneliuson (Chet) of Clinton, Barbara Jane Crawford (Bill) of Florence, Bobby Joe Sticht of Hall, Susan Smith (T. Mike) of Salt Lake City, Laurie Godbout (Cliff) of East Missoula, Sandra McDougall of Franklin, Mass., Jeanne Sticht Jr. (Shauna) of Helena, Thomas Sticht (Laurie) of Okanogan, Wash., and Stacy Tabbert (Nathan) of Helena, by 27 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.
Jeanne is survived by his dear wife Janet Ruth Hansen Henry Sticht and three step-children, Cassi Henry (Eldon), Charon Casey (Troy) and Morgan Henry, whom he also considered his own.
A resident of Lake Inez, Montana in the summers and Mesa, Arizona in the winters, he had many dear friends. Jeanne is loved and will be missed.
Interment at Seeley Lake Cemetery will take place later this summer.
Cremation is under the care of Garden City Funeral Home & Crematory. Condolences and memories may be left for the family at www.missoulafuneralhomes.com


Read Jeanne Sticht's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.