H. Maher

H. Gene Maher, 98, passed away on November 14, 2025, at his home in Bozeman. He was born in Port Hope, Minnesota on July 19, 1927, to Thomas and Josephine Maher.

In the fall of 1929 Gene's folks and him along with his aunt, uncle and one cousin all crowded into Tom's car that was loaded down with potatoes for the trip and headed to Montana and a new life. This inspired Gene's love of travel and his life-long dislike for potatoes. They joined other family that had moved to the Gallatin Valley. They lived in several locations in and around Bozeman. Gene attended several grade schools around the valley and graduated from Gallatin High School in 1945.

He worked at Loveless Motors while in school as a janitor and counter man.

After high school he worked as an apprentice carpenter, a mule packer for the forest service, a truck driver, even a crew member on a C97 plane to spray Gypsy Moths in New York state. All of which made for some interesting stories.

During this time, his love of animals inspired him to start rodeoing. His events were calf roping and team tying (today's team roping). Gene made life-long friends through rodeo, and it created his love for Arizona. After his rodeo days ended he was an avid spectator.

In 1963 he married Faye Miller and became the father of her three young children.

Gene settled into being a Finish Carpenter. He opened Mountain Tops Cabinet Shop with his partner Arlin Wentzel. They built cabinets for most of the first high end homes in and around the valley. Even flying to Oregon to install cabinets for a repeat customer. In 1989 Gene closed the shop and retired.

Gene and Faye became snowbirds and spent winters in Arizona exploring, along with their boating and camping friends.

In his later years he enjoyed his home and being able to stay in it was especially important to him.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents, Tom and Joe; his wife, of 49 years, Faye; and his son, Butch Johnson.

He is survived by daughters, Linda (Leroy) Matthews, and Mary (Dan) Noyes; grandchildren, Lon (Christy) Matthews, Dan Matthews, LeAnn Lundrum, and Heather (Brandan) Weber; four great grandchildren and one great- great grandson.

A private family service will be held.

Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the Heart of the Valley Animal Shelter.

Arrangements are in the care of Dokken-Nelson Funeral Service. www.dokkennelson.com