George Edwin Tourtelotte II

George Edwin Tourtelotte II, age 78, of Columbia Falls, MT passed away September 26, 2024, at Logan Health Medical Center in Kalispell, MT. He was born January 18, 1946 in Clarion, IA to George Edwin Tourtelotte and Fern Jenny (Sackett) Tourtelotte. His brother Gary joined the family 361 days later and little brother Gene trailed seven years after that.

George grew up on a farm south of Clarion where he and his brothers were responsible for the daily chores and field work. Although he worked hard, he also made time to play, including fishing and hunting which he continued into adulthood.

George was a fiercely independent, honest, and hardworking person. Following high school graduation in 1965, he worked on the track crew for the Rock Island Railroad out of Belmond, IA. In 1969, he hitched the rails and caught rides with truckers across the country to join his brother Gary in western Montana, first working at the Thompson Falls Lumber Company, then moving to Columbia Falls where he worked for Plum Creek Lumber Company for over 35 years. One of his most cherished lifetime experiences was a fishing trip he took to Alaska.

George had a survivalist instinct and lived a frugal lifestyle, which prepared him for whatever life threw his way. Although as a teenager he raced stockcars, he never held a drivers license or owned a vehicle. He became a well-known fixture around Columbia Falls, walking everyplace he went, including work every night regardless of weather, the grocery store and post office, and the bank and clinic across town. This was quite a feat considering he lived north of town.

George was a simple, yet complex man. To know him was to love him, but few people knew him well. He will always be remembered during the good old days watching Saturday night wrestling on TV with his sidekicks, “The Gang of Five” (George, Gary, Gene and Jim and Bobbi Morford).

George is survived by daughter, Marie Ann Herman (Jerry); grandchildren: Colton and Rebecca Herman; brother, Gary Tourtelotte (Micki); sister-in-law, Terri Atkins (Tim); nieces: Connie Mickelson (Tim), Stacy Crabb (Charlie), and Amber VanEaton (John) and their children; as well as numerous cousins. George was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Gene Allen Tourtelotte; and sister-in-law, Chery Tourtelotte.

George’s family would like to thank all of his “Helpers”, including Logan Health Medical doctors and staff; Logan Home Health Care providers; Meals on Wheels volunteers; Immanuel Living staff; and most importantly “George’s Girls” at Immanual Living at Home.

A graveside service for George will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 5, 2024 at Woodlawn Cemetery, 2200 9^thStreet West, Columbia Falls, MT 59912. To send online condolences, please visit www.columbiamortuary.com.