Official Obituary of
George W. Verlanic
August 23, 1925 ~ September 27, 2016 (age 91) 91 Years Old
George Verlanic Obituary
September 27, 2016 was a beautiful fall day. An Anaconda bluebird sky opened up and George Verlanic's family in Heaven decided 91 years was long enough for him to be on Earth. They knew pancreatic cancer would be too painful for their beloved son, brother and husband. They called to him and George joined them in eternal rest as he passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by love and his family.
George was born to John and Anna (Bonner) Verlanic on August 23, 1925 at the Warm Springs Dairy, northeast of Anaconda, owned by his family. George was the 8th in line of 9 children. When George was a baby, he became seriously ill. His mother, whom he adored, quickly took him in to get a photo made as they thought he wouldn't make it. George defied the odds, as happened many times throughout his life, and made a complete recovery.
George attended the Warm Springs County School with his siblings. He would fondly remember the "Verlanic Row" in the school. At the age of 8, George's family moved to town. He continued his education at the Bryan School and then went on to graduate from Anaconda Senior High School in 1943.
Excited to follow in his brother Robbie's footsteps and serve our country, George enlisted in the Navy after graduation. He toured the Philippines on the SS Mormachawk. During his service in WWII, he sent money to his mother every month to assist with her expenses.
George's next adventure sent him to Swan Lake. He and two of his buddies operated a shingle sawmill for a year and a half. However, Anaconda called him home and he began his career at the Butte, Anaconda and Pacific Railroad in the 1950's. George worked his way up the ranks from a hostler helper to an engineer on the BA&P.
In 1961, George's sister Gladys lost her husband Lawrence at a very young age. George was devastated by this news as he was so close to "Lorrie". George traveled to Helena each weekend to help Gladys and be a support for their 5 children. "Uncle George" was a hero to them during this difficult time.
On April 22, 1962, George married a beautiful Irish lass named Lenora Barry in Dillon, MT. They celebrated 51 years of marriage before her passing in 2013. George gently cared for her at home so she could enjoy her days at home. His dedication to her was an example for all of us on how to live our lives and love our family.
Like so many great Anaconda men from this generation, George worked at the Arbiter Plant and the Anaconda Smelter. He obtained his 1st class engineer's license while working at the Powerhouse on the "Hill". Thanks to his nephew, Ralph Villa, he was able to be one of the last workers at the Smelter. Once the company shut down in 1982, George used his amazing handyman talents to install a heating system in his house that still works perfectly today. George took impeccable care of everything around him.
George wasn't quite ready to quit working in 1982 so George joined the engineering crew at the Community Medical Center in Missoula for 8 years. He enjoyed these years in Missoula immensely. His co-workers were impressed with his incredible work ethic and kind demeanor. In 1990, George retired and returned home again to Anaconda. In his retirement, George could often be found working in his yard, tinkering in his garage, or repairing something in his work room.
The most important thing in George's life was family. He cherished his parents, siblings, and all of his wonderful nieces and nephews. His wife, three girls, 5 grandchildren and one great-grandchild brought him much joy over the years as evidenced by the smile in his eyes during visits. His next love was cars. He knew he had "made it" when he purchased his first Cadillac. George could often be heard saying, "Let's go for a ride!"
George was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Lenora Barry Verlanic; his infant son, Todd Anthony; his grandson, Matthew Kiewatt; siblings, Myrtle, Edward "Bud", Harry, Lloyd, Leonard "Toots", Gladys, Robert and Gene; and many members of their families.
George will be greatly missed by his loving family including daughters and sons-in-law; Toni and Don Poffenberger, Linda Keele, and Lisa and Jason Fowler; granddaughters, Whitney Kiewatt and Lacie Poffenberger; grandsons, Justin and Logan Keele and their dad, Chris Keele; and great-grandson, Tristan Kiewatt.
George lived his days on his terms for all of his life. He was a gentleman, strong, resilient, handsome, witty, determined and kind. As he needed more help later in life, he was so grateful and never missed an opportunity to thank us for all we did for him. There aren't enough words to express our appreciation to Eddie Amberg, Aline, Jan, Brent, Janice, Anaconda Pintlar Hospice and many other caregivers that helped him enjoy his days at home.
Funeral Services will be held on Monday, October 3, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at the Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Chapel, 107 Oak St., Anaconda, MT. There will be one hour of visitation prior to the service.
Visitation will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, October 2, 2016 with the Vigil service at 12:00 p.m. at the Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, you can honor George's long life by donating to Montana PBS or any local Anaconda charity as he loved his hometown.
Funeral Services will be held on Monday, October 3, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at the Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Chapel, 107 Oak St., Anaconda, MT. There will be one hour of visitation prior to the service.
Visitation will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, October 2, 2016 with the Vigil service at 12:00 p.m. at the Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Chapel.
107 Oak St.
Anaconda, MT 59711
107 Oak St.
Anaconda, MT 59711
107 Oak St.
Anaconda, MT 59711
107 Oak St.
Anaconda, MT 59711
George was born to John and Anna (Bonner) Verlanic on August 23, 1925 at the Warm Springs Dairy, northeast of Anaconda, owned by his family. George was the 8th in line of 9 children. When George was a baby, he became seriously ill. His mother, whom he adored, quickly took him in to get a photo made as they thought he wouldn't make it. George defied the odds, as happened many times throughout his life, and made a complete recovery.
George attended the Warm Springs County School with his siblings. He would fondly remember the "Verlanic Row" in the school. At the age of 8, George's family moved to town. He continued his education at the Bryan School and then went on to graduate from Anaconda Senior High School in 1943.
Excited to follow in his brother Robbie's footsteps and serve our country, George enlisted in the Navy after graduation. He toured the Philippines on the SS Mormachawk. During his service in WWII, he sent money to his mother every month to assist with her expenses.
George's next adventure sent him to Swan Lake. He and two of his buddies operated a shingle sawmill for a year and a half. However, Anaconda called him home and he began his career at the Butte, Anaconda and Pacific Railroad in the 1950's. George worked his way up the ranks from a hostler helper to an engineer on the BA&P.
In 1961, George's sister Gladys lost her husband Lawrence at a very young age. George was devastated by this news as he was so close to "Lorrie". George traveled to Helena each weekend to help Gladys and be a support for their 5 children. "Uncle George" was a hero to them during this difficult time.
On April 22, 1962, George married a beautiful Irish lass named Lenora Barry in Dillon, MT. They celebrated 51 years of marriage before her passing in 2013. George gently cared for her at home so she could enjoy her days at home. His dedication to her was an example for all of us on how to live our lives and love our family.
Like so many great Anaconda men from this generation, George worked at the Arbiter Plant and the Anaconda Smelter. He obtained his 1st class engineer's license while working at the Powerhouse on the "Hill". Thanks to his nephew, Ralph Villa, he was able to be one of the last workers at the Smelter. Once the company shut down in 1982, George used his amazing handyman talents to install a heating system in his house that still works perfectly today. George took impeccable care of everything around him.
George wasn't quite ready to quit working in 1982 so George joined the engineering crew at the Community Medical Center in Missoula for 8 years. He enjoyed these years in Missoula immensely. His co-workers were impressed with his incredible work ethic and kind demeanor. In 1990, George retired and returned home again to Anaconda. In his retirement, George could often be found working in his yard, tinkering in his garage, or repairing something in his work room.
The most important thing in George's life was family. He cherished his parents, siblings, and all of his wonderful nieces and nephews. His wife, three girls, 5 grandchildren and one great-grandchild brought him much joy over the years as evidenced by the smile in his eyes during visits. His next love was cars. He knew he had "made it" when he purchased his first Cadillac. George could often be heard saying, "Let's go for a ride!"
George was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Lenora Barry Verlanic; his infant son, Todd Anthony; his grandson, Matthew Kiewatt; siblings, Myrtle, Edward "Bud", Harry, Lloyd, Leonard "Toots", Gladys, Robert and Gene; and many members of their families.
George will be greatly missed by his loving family including daughters and sons-in-law; Toni and Don Poffenberger, Linda Keele, and Lisa and Jason Fowler; granddaughters, Whitney Kiewatt and Lacie Poffenberger; grandsons, Justin and Logan Keele and their dad, Chris Keele; and great-grandson, Tristan Kiewatt.
George lived his days on his terms for all of his life. He was a gentleman, strong, resilient, handsome, witty, determined and kind. As he needed more help later in life, he was so grateful and never missed an opportunity to thank us for all we did for him. There aren't enough words to express our appreciation to Eddie Amberg, Aline, Jan, Brent, Janice, Anaconda Pintlar Hospice and many other caregivers that helped him enjoy his days at home.
Funeral Services will be held on Monday, October 3, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at the Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Chapel, 107 Oak St., Anaconda, MT. There will be one hour of visitation prior to the service.
Visitation will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, October 2, 2016 with the Vigil service at 12:00 p.m. at the Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, you can honor George's long life by donating to Montana PBS or any local Anaconda charity as he loved his hometown.
Funeral Services will be held on Monday, October 3, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at the Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Chapel, 107 Oak St., Anaconda, MT. There will be one hour of visitation prior to the service.
Visitation will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, October 2, 2016 with the Vigil service at 12:00 p.m. at the Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Chapel.
Visitation
OCT 2. 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (MDT)
Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Home107 Oak St.
Anaconda, MT 59711
Vigil
OCT 2. 12:00 PM (MDT)
Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Home107 Oak St.
Anaconda, MT 59711
Visitation
OCT 3. 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM (MDT)
Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Home107 Oak St.
Anaconda, MT 59711
Service
OCT 3. 10:30 AM (MDT)
Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Home107 Oak St.
Anaconda, MT 59711
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