George Spencer Minder

HARDIN - George Spencer Minder was born in Sidney, Mont., on Oct. 24, 1955, to Ruth and Joe Minder. He grew up with siblings, Joe Bill, Shelley and Carolyn. He graduated from Sidney High School in 1974.

George graduated from MSU-Bozeman with a BS in Education and later a Master's Degree in Public Administration. He loved his job as teacher and BB coach in Lima, Mont., but spent most of his career as an administrator of hospitals. Currently, he was the CEO of the Big Horn Hospital in Hardin, Mont.

George and Dawn (Goebel) were married on July 4, 1981, in Sidney. Their son, Phillip, was born in 1988, and their daughter, Clara, in 1990. Wanderers at heart, Dawn and George not only lived in several towns in Montana and Wyoming, but as newlyweds, back-packed across Europe, China, Australia, and many other places. George loved his family; his dog, Macey; hunting for agates; gardening; and cooking. With George's sense of humor and adventure, there was never a dull moment.

George passed away Monday night, June 2, at home with his family around him. His one year battle with cancer was faced with strength, determination, and grace.

George is survived by his wife, Dawn; daughter, Clara; son, Phillip; mother, Ruth Minder; sisters, Carolyn Minder (Joel Horton) and Shelley Wiederrich (Allen); in-laws, Darrell and Doris Goebel; sister-in-law, Darcy Prevost (Pete); brother-in-law, Daren Goebel; nieces and nephews, Shannon Welnel (Jason), Anna and Madelyn Prevost, and Nick Goebel; and life-long friends, Steve Carey and Bill Ericksen. George was preceded in death by his father, Joe Minder and brother, Joe Bill Minder. A memorial service will be held in Hardin, Mont., on June 12, at 1 p.m. in the First American Lutheran Church.