Owen Schmautz

Elvin Owen Schmautz, 83, of Missoula, passed away on Monday, December 11, 2017.

Owen was born on November 22, 1934 to Ben and Myrtle Schmautz. As a young man he attended Franklin Grade School where he participated in football, basketball, and Track. While attending Missoula County High School, he was a member of the back to back state champion football teams, his junior and senior year, playing tight end. Shortly after high school, He enlisted in the Army and was stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington for two years, and was retired with an Honorable Discharge from the Army Reserves in July of 1963.

On February 13, 1960, he married his loving wife of 44 years, Gertrude Lorraine Gustafson, of Missoula. The couple had two children The couple moved to Columbia Falls where Owen worked at the Mill for a few months, until he landed a job at the University of Montana in computer science. This job would lead to a job at the US Forest Service in Missoula as a computer operator where he worked for 28 years until retiring in 1993. Owen and Gert lived in Missoula for the remainder of their married lives.

Owen was a member of Glad Tidings Assembly of God for 30+ years where he was on their Board and was often the treasurer/secretary. He helped to construct the current Glad Tidings building on Reserve street in 1969. Owen and Gert also held bible club in their home each Tuesday for the Bible Club Movement for 25+ years, and Owen continued to participate until his passing.

Owen loved church, and for the past few years attended Christian Life Center and Bethel Baptist. He loved his friends and family, and was always thankful for their spirit and kindness. Church was his second home, and he enjoyed helping with the youth.

Owen was preceded in death by his Mother Myrtle and Father Ben, Wife Gert, Brother Bennie and his wife Florence. Survivors include his Sister Bonnie (Children Gwen, Gabe, Gena and Grace), his son Chuck (wife Jodie, son Andrew) and his daughter Suzie (husband Chad, children Payton, Hayley, Ella, and Shay), sister in law Gussie Gustafson, and Brother in law Cliff Gustafson (wife Annette). There are many nieces, nephews and their children that brightened Owen's life, and for them he was very thankful.

Services will be on Tuesday January 16th at Christian Life Center at 1:00. There will be a reception to follow.

The family requests donations be made to Bible Club Movement, attention: Karen Devries, PO Box 3423, Missoula, MT 59806. Condolences for the family may be left at www.gardencityfh.com