Geraldine "Geri" Bielenberg, formerly of Great Falls, passed away peacefully on Aug. 20, 2013, at Lakeview Care Center in Bigfork, after a courageous three-month battle with a brain tumor.
She was born in Salt Lake City on Oct. 13, 1931, and the family moved to Great Falls when she was 4 years old. Geri attended Whittier and Roosevelt elementary schools, Paris Gibson Junior High and Great Falls High School.
She then worked her way up in the retail business from the age of 17, starting as a stock girl at Kress dime store, moving next to JCPenney, and then on to The Paris of Montana. Eventually Geri became the buyer for the infants, children's and yard goods departments at Montgomery Ward in Holiday Village Mall.
Geri was previously married to Robert "Bob" Nelson (1951) and they raised their three children in Great Falls - daughters, Pamela Smith and David of Auburn, Wash., and Vicky Golie and Michael of Taylorsville, Utah; and son, Rick Nelson, and Dorene, of Orem, Utah. Bob and Geri divorced in 1974.
Geri married Donald D. Bielenberg on Dec. 10, 1975, in Bozeman, and since then, the two have lived in the beautiful community of Swan Lake.
After her marriage to Don, Geri retired from her career in retail and became active in the Swan Lake Chamber of Commerce, assisting for many years with the annual Huckleberry Festival and other community functions. She was admired for her stunning handwork, afghans, doilies and scarves, as well as her great home cooking (most especially her coveted apple pie and chocolate cake.)
Geri was preceded in death by her parents, Roy and Amy Linnell; and sisters, Helen (Briggs) and Darlene (Williams).
Don and Geri Bielenberg's lives were blessed by her three children, plus Don's children, Paulette Haxton and Flynn North of Great Falls, Danny Bielenberg of Seeley Lake, and Karen Bielenberg of Bozeman. Between them, the two have 13 amazing grandchildren, Dustin, Aimee (deceased), Sunny, Tia, Brenna, Emiley, Cassey, Seth, Meisha, Joshua, Jarom, Natasha and Nicholas; plus 19 precious great-grandchildren.
The legacy Geri leaves behind is unconditional love, dedication, devotion and the optimism she has shown to her husband, children, extended family and friends throughout her entire life. Her fearless courage and tender nature will be forever cherished in the hearts of all those who have known and loved her.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 24, at the Swan Chapel located at 22376 Montana Highway 83, Swan Lake. Geri's final resting place will be in the family plot in the Salt Lake City Cemetery.
Friends are encouraged to visit, the website, www.buffalohillfh.com, to leave notes of condolence for the family. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the family.
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She was born in Salt Lake City on Oct. 13, 1931, and the family moved to Great Falls when she was 4 years old. Geri attended Whittier and Roosevelt elementary schools, Paris Gibson Junior High and Great Falls High School.
She then worked her way up in the retail business from the age of 17, starting as a stock girl at Kress dime store, moving next to JCPenney, and then on to The Paris of Montana. Eventually Geri became the buyer for the infants, children's and yard goods departments at Montgomery Ward in Holiday Village Mall.
Geri was previously married to Robert "Bob" Nelson (1951) and they raised their three children in Great Falls - daughters, Pamela Smith and David of Auburn, Wash., and Vicky Golie and Michael of Taylorsville, Utah; and son, Rick Nelson, and Dorene, of Orem, Utah. Bob and Geri divorced in 1974.
Geri married Donald D. Bielenberg on Dec. 10, 1975, in Bozeman, and since then, the two have lived in the beautiful community of Swan Lake.
After her marriage to Don, Geri retired from her career in retail and became active in the Swan Lake Chamber of Commerce, assisting for many years with the annual Huckleberry Festival and other community functions. She was admired for her stunning handwork, afghans, doilies and scarves, as well as her great home cooking (most especially her coveted apple pie and chocolate cake.)
Geri was preceded in death by her parents, Roy and Amy Linnell; and sisters, Helen (Briggs) and Darlene (Williams).
Don and Geri Bielenberg's lives were blessed by her three children, plus Don's children, Paulette Haxton and Flynn North of Great Falls, Danny Bielenberg of Seeley Lake, and Karen Bielenberg of Bozeman. Between them, the two have 13 amazing grandchildren, Dustin, Aimee (deceased), Sunny, Tia, Brenna, Emiley, Cassey, Seth, Meisha, Joshua, Jarom, Natasha and Nicholas; plus 19 precious great-grandchildren.
The legacy Geri leaves behind is unconditional love, dedication, devotion and the optimism she has shown to her husband, children, extended family and friends throughout her entire life. Her fearless courage and tender nature will be forever cherished in the hearts of all those who have known and loved her.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 24, at the Swan Chapel located at 22376 Montana Highway 83, Swan Lake. Geri's final resting place will be in the family plot in the Salt Lake City Cemetery.
Friends are encouraged to visit, the website, www.buffalohillfh.com, to leave notes of condolence for the family. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the family.
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