George Minder

George passed away Monday night, June 2, 2014 at home with his family around him. His one year battle with cancer was faced with strength, determination, and grace. George Spencer Minder was born in Sidney, Montana on October 24, 1955 to Ruth and Joe Minder. He grew up with his older brother, Joe Bill, and sisters, Shelley and Carolyn. He attended schools in Lewistown and Sidney, graduating from Sidney High School in 1974. George graduated from Montana State University in Bozeman with a Bachelor's Degree in Education. He taught and coached middle school and high school students for 3 years in Lima, Montana. George then returned to MSU and obtained his Master's Degree in Public Administration. He worked as a Director of Human Resources and CEO at hospitals in Montana, Wyoming, and South Dakota. Currently, he was the CEO of the Big Horn Hospital in Hardin, Montana. Fireworks lit up the sky when George and Dawn (Goebel) were married on July 4, 1981 in Sidney. Their first little firecracker, Phillip George, was born in 1988, and then their little sparkler, Clara Dawn, in 1990. Wanderers at heart, Dawn and George lived in several towns in Montana and Wyoming, and were presently living in Hardin. They loved to travel, and as newlyweds they back-packed across Europe for 3 months, and later traveled to Fiji, China, Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, Mexico, Canada and many places in the US. George loved to take his family or his dog, Macey, on trips “off the beaten path” to hunt for agates, pheasants, or fish; float the river; and just enjoy the outdoors. Dawn learned that, with George's sense of humor and adventure, there would never be a dull moment. Their many planned (and unplanned) adventures have provided family and friends with stories to share and memories to cherish. George is survived by his wife, Dawn, and daughter, Clara of Hardin; son, Phillip of Billings; mother, Ruth Minder of Lewistown, Mt; sisters, Carolyn Minder (Joel Horton) of Boise, Idaho, and Shelley Wiederrich (Allen) of Helena, Mt; in-laws, Darrell and Doris Goebel of Sidney, Mt; sister-in-law, Darcy Prevost (Pete) of Billings, Mt; brother-in-law, Daren Goebel of Monroe, WA; nieces and nephews, Shannon Welnel (Jason), Anna and Madelyn Prevost, and Nick Goebel; and life-long friends, Steve Carey of Missoula, MT, and Bill Ericksen of Oregon City, OR. George was preceded in death by his father, Joe Minder and his brother, Joe Bill Minder. A memorial service will be held in Hardin, MT on June 12th at 1:00 pm in the First American Lutheran Church. Arrangements are in the care of Dahl Funeral Chapel and memories may be shared with the family at www.dahlfuneralchapel.com