Gerold Madler

Funeral Service for Gerold ?Jerry? Madler, 66, of Baker, MT will be at 11:00 a. m. on Wednesday, February 16, 2011, at American Lutheran Church in Baker, MT with Pastors Bruce & Reba Kolasch officiating. Interment will follow in St. John?s Catholic Cemetery with Father Thomas Tobin officiating. Visitation will be 5:00 p. m. to 9:00 p. m. on Tuesday, February 15th, at Stevenson Funeral Home in Baker with a Prayer Service at 7:00 p. m. Gerold ?Jerry? Leroy Madler was born to Jose and Olga (Tronstad) Madler on July 25, 1944 in Baker, Montana. As a child, he walked to O?Donnell Schoolhouse (eating lard sandwiches that were thawed on the radiator in the schoolhouse). He later attended Baker High School, graduating in 1962. As a boy, Jerry lived and worked on the farm, gaining a variety of skills including farming the land, milking the cows, and doing mechanical repairs. It was in this last field that he made his lifetime career. Be it welding, building from scratch, repairing, or rigging, there was nothing Dad could not fix. He would often trade his labor for the things that seemed worthless to others, but he would build, match up, or repair until it worked, once even taking a tractor that had burned to the frame and getting it to run. In fact, that same tractor ran well enough, it is the one his own boys learned to farm with, and just bad enough that they learned to fix it as well. Dad left lessons everywhere. Jerry was united in marriage to Mary Jo Stenglein on September 25, 1965 in Baker, Montana. From this union, five children were born: Richard, Sandra, Robert, Lori, and Stephen. The family remained in Baker. During that time, Jerry supported his family with his hands, working for Randash Motors, the Ford Garage, E & E Service, and M & M Service. In 1979, Jerry started his own repair and welding business, Jerry?s Machine Shop and later, Northside Implement, where he sold Hesston equipment. This business closed in 1986. He later went to work for D & M Water Service and finally, Mitchell?s Oilfield Service as a mechanic, welder, crane operator, and dozer operator. Jerry worked at Mitchell?s until the time of his death. Jerry had an amazing background full of knowledge of subjects that one would never guess could be hidden in such a strong man. In high school, he was a tumbler, he played the clarinet and trumpet in school, and later picked up a guitar. Dad loved music ? playing it, listening to it, teaching it, even whistling and yodeling. He played his guitar in a few different bands between 1958 and 1970. Jerry also volunteered as an EMT for several years while the kids were younger. Jerry?s wife, Mary, passed away on July 7, 1994. He later married Bette Bublitz on October 7, 1995. They shared their life on the farm between where Jerry grew up and their place by Willard, raising cows and hay. Dad had a love for children, guiding, employing, and mentoring so many in his life. Having his grandchildren around and sharing stories and experiences with them brought great joy to Dad. Most of all, Dad was a quiet country boy who loved and lived to help other people, regardless of circumstance, time of day, or sacrifice. It is just what he did. Jerry passed away peacefully on Friday, February 11, 2011 with his family at his side at his childhood home. Jerry is survived by his wife, Bette; his children, Rick (Mona) Madler, Sandy (Henry) Lytle, Robert (Sara) Madler, Lori (Phillip) Rusley, and Steve (Billie) Madler; stepchildren, Julie (Robert) Townsend and Daniel (Chandra) Bublitz. Dad was blessed with 17 grandchildren and the grandchildren were blessed with having him; Siblings, Alice Arneson, Alvin and Rodney Madler; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jose and Olga; his first wife, Mary; brothers, Raymond and Larry; sister, Carol; and grandson Jordan. In lieu of flowers, please consider supporting the American Cancer Society.


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Burial Date: February 16, 2011
Funeral Home Baker, MT

Funeral Service: Wednesday, American Lutheran Church, Baker, MT