Georgette Scheafer

Georgette (Miller) Scheafer, mother, grandmother, quilter, latrine queen, owl lady, and dessert maven with a knack for cookies, died July 22, 2025 at the age of 85.

By her own account, some of Georgette's best years were spent growing up in Absarokee MT, first as a child on a farm, then as a sociable teen living in town. After graduating high school, her typing skills were so proficient that she was recruited by the FBI. Turning down that opportunity was "the only thing I regretted, as my Dad talked me out of it since I had a stable job" at a local bank.

She married Donald Scheafer in 1958 and spent their long marriage in Billings, Great Falls, Sherwood OR, and later back to Absarokee to be closer to their parents. Defying the norms of the time, she maintained a streak of independence by working an array of different part-time jobs, for what she dismissed as "a little spending money." Her favorite job was at Hass's, the plant nursery in Sherwood. With Don traveling a lot for work, Georgette was often left alone to raise her 3 rambunctious kids. Her kids remember her making the best cookies, being a cub scout leader, wrapping Christmas gifts in unique ways, and taking them on many camping trips. But the most memorable is the piercing whistle she had to call them home; if they didn't come running, they were in trouble!

An avid square dancer, she and Don danced for 20 years with the Tigard 59'ers. The friendships they forged there lead to decades of multi-family camping trips, shared meals, and practical jokes. When she returned to Absarokee in her retirement years, she found community once again. She became active in her church, book club, quilting group, and also put in a great deal of time saving the Cobblestone School.

Georgette was known to strike up conversations with anyone; she had a genuine curiosity about people and liked to joke around and get to know folks. A subtle comedian, she played up the humor in the everyday. On her dad's annual wagon trains, she willingly took on the role of trucking the porta potties from site to site, if only so she could be addressed by her royal title: The Latrine Queen. Her grandkids especially remember this side of her, from the cheeky birthday cards to her willingness to laugh at their childish derrière jokes.

The daughter of George and Dorothy Miller, spouse of Don Scheafer, and mother to Brent Scheafer (Kim), Brian Scheafer (Judy) and Becki Scheafer Lowrie (Michael) will be missed. She leaves behind her best friend and sister, Doris Madison, her children, and numerous grandchildren and extended family.

Services will be Sept 20th at 11 AM at the Lutheran church in Absarokee MT, remembrances can be made out to "Cruizin 4 Seniors" PO BOX 1286 Columbus MT 59019 a non-profit that brings presents to senior citizens at Christmas in surrounding areas.