George J. Fager, 87, of Glendive, passed away on Sunday, July 9, 2017 in Great Falls, with family by his side.
Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, July 20, 2017 at the Silha Funeral Home in Glendive. A vigil service will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 20, 2017 at the Silha Funeral Home in Glendive. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, July 21, 2017 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Glendive with Father Francis Schreiber officiating. Rite of Committal with military honors will be held in Dawson County Cemetery. Silha Funeral Home of Glendive has been entrusted with the arrangements.
George was born on December 2, 1929 in Glendive to Frank and Elizabeth (Decker) Fager. George attended Dawson County schools and graduated from DCHS in 1949. George served his country in the military for 11 years.
In 1948, George began employment with the Northern Pacific Railroad as a clerk. George retired as the Chief Clerk from Burlington Northern on July 1, 1992 after almost 45 years of service.
On September 28, 1953, he was joined in Holy Matrimony with Mary Dinardi. Together they raised three daughters: Mary, Debbie and Tammy.
George was a lifetime member of the Glendive Moose Lodge and held leadership positions within the organization. George was also a member of the Glendive Elks Lodge where he served in many different roles including the Exalted Ruler. George was also a lifetime active member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
George loved to spend hours outdoors taking care of his garden and lawn. George also enjoyed making canes from local willow trees. Many who knew George loved his tough exterior, but what they loved even more once they got to know him was the fact he was a big-hearted loving, generous and dedicated person to all things that were important to him and the people who surrounded him.
The greatest joys of his life were his three children, nine grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren.
George was preceded in death by his loving wife of 53 years, Mary; his parents, Frank and Elizabeth; five brothers, Frank, Peter, Jerry, Richard and Matthew; and one sister, Elizabeth.
George is survived by his three daughters Mary and husband Ron Dietz Sr. of Aberdeen, S.D., Debbie and husband John Tweet of Ft. Worth, Texas, and Tammy and husband Tony Rupnow of Great Falls; grandchildren Mandi and husband Jason Yurkovich of Aberdeen, Ronald Dietz Jr. and wife Erin of Becker, Minn., Heather and husband Dan Glover of Aberdeen, Scott Tweet and his wife Michelle of Broken Arrow, Okla., Amy Tweet of Ft. Worth, Tiffany and her husband Phillip Stewart of Ft. Worth, Michael Tweet of Houston, Texas, Angela Rupnow of Great Falls, and Jennifer Rupnow of Great Falls; great-grandchildren Caden, Reece, Kaylee, Parker, Joelle, and Gavin of Aberdeen, Mikayla and Cameron of Broken Arrow, Makenzie and Paisley of Ft. Worth, and Oaklee and Owin of Great Falls. He is also survived by his niece Toni Goroski and her husband Mark of Glendive.
Memorials in George’s name can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at: www.silhafuneralhomes.com.