Clara Geiger

Clara (Craig) (Brehm) Geiger was born April 5, 1918, in Nisland, SD to George Craig (Kreig) and Eva Weigand. They had migrated from Germany to farm in the U.S. After her father died in 1918, her mother married David Simon in Nisland. They moved to Powell, WY and farmed for several years, before moving to Billings. With the two families combined, and others born, Clara survived 12 siblings. She married Harry Brehm in 1935. Harry was a house painter for several years and then they purchased a grocery store in Billings. In 1954 they sold the store and moved to Roundup, MT again purchasing a grocery store, motel, and trailer park combination. Harry passed away in 1955 and Clara and her sons continued in the business until, and after, she married Martin Geiger in 1956. Eventually they sold the business, moved to Lewistown, MT purchasing a unit of apartments, then selling and moved to Corvallis, MT purchasing a bar and restaurant. While Martin worked highway construction Clara worked at J. C. Penny. Leaving there, they moved to Newport, WA and lived the life of retirees until selling their home and moving to Hot Springs, MT near the springs that eased Martin's arthritis. Wherever they lived, Clara and Martin were very active in the church, and in Newport belonged to the Grange and the Elks Lodge. Martin passed away in 2000 and Clara moved to Billings in 2001. She leaves behind a daughter, Arloa Weiss of Billings; sons, Gerald (Mary) Brehm of Woodstock, GA and Timothy (Genny) Brehm of Reno, NV; the oldest of her sons, Jack (Ann) Brehm, of Broadview, MT passed away in 1997. She is also survived by her children Sandy (Rod) Hamilton of Hoschton, GA, Wally (Patty) Geiger of Niarida, MT and John (Vickie) Geiger of Great Falls, MT; 19 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren. Visitation will be held Tuesday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. with a Vigil service to follow at 6 p.m., both at Dahl Funeral Chapel. Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. on Wednesday at St. Pius X Catholic Church with committal in Rockvale Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Clara's name to St. Pius X Catholic Church. Special thanks to mother's friends, Harriet Hagen and Clorie Arnold, to the Autumn Springs staff and Rocky Mountain Hospice for their special care.