George "Nick" Krumenacker

SALEM, Ore. - George "Nick" Krumenacker entered heaven on Jan. 19, 2007. Although he was not a smoker, he died in Salem, after a year long illness with lung cancer. He did his best to stay with his family, but died peacefully in their presence.
Nick was born at the family home to Nick and Marian Alice George Krumenacker in Miles City, Mont., on Sept. 7, 1941. He had three sisters, Ellen, Dottie Jean and Laura, who died in infancy.
Nick attended school in Miles City and graduated from Custer County High School. He loved playing sports, including Babe Ruth baseball, intramural basketball, softball, and was a lifeguard at the local pool. After graduation he entered the Air Force and served over three years at McCord Air Force Base. He was honorably discharged with an early-out to attend college.
He graduated with a BS in Sociology and a minor in Special Education from Eastern Montana College. He taught school, worked as a vocational rehabilitation counselor, and then went to work for IBM in sales and training. That experience led to a career in education and business sales and for the last 15 years, he had owned and operated a small business that he sold when he became ill.
Nick had a beautiful singing voice and a great appreciation for both music and reading. But his favorite pastime was golfing, both for the sport and for the time spent outside. He made only one hole-in-one and then the only witness was a squirrel.
Above all else, Nick was a Christian man. His belief in Jesus was the most important thing in his life. His faith was his constant companion and source of comfort during his illness.
The second love of his life was his family. In 1984, Nick married his wife, Janice (Lopez) and together they made a family of six, including Nick's sons Brandy and Ryan and daughter, Amber, and Janice's daughter Nicole. The family now also includes Ryan's wife April, Amber's husband Phil Montez and their sons Quentin and Aiden and Nicole's sons Tyler and Connor Smith.
Nick was predeceased by his father, mother and two sisters. He is survived by his sister, Ellen Moran, his wife, two sons, two daughters and four grandsons. He leaves many close friendships made through church fellowship, business, family ties and from childhood. He left this life knowing that he was dearly loved and will be deeply missed.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 24, at the Church on the Hill in McMinnville, Ore. His wish was to be cremated and his ashes will be spread at the Oregon coast. A second memorial service and scattering of ashes will be held in May in Miles City, Montana.
Memorials in his name may be made to the Scott Banke Memorial Fund, the American Lung Association, or the American Cancer Association.