Jack Allen Krumm

Jack Allen Krumm

 

April 8, 1940-December 6, 2020 (age 80)

 

“The Eagle’s Call”

 

Unforeseen,

A worldwide storm

Raged from sea.

 

Chaos covered creation,

Invoking fear and devastation.

 

Nature took shelter,

Protecting its kin

Waiting…

For the storm to pass

Hoping…

For a miracle within.

 

Yet, the Eagle

Sensed a way

To ride the winds,

Embrace dismay.

 

Opening his wings,

Amidst the tempest’s roar,

Courageously upon the gales,

He soared.

 

For the Eagle

Believed…

In life beyond the trees,

Desired…

Peace past the freeze.

 

He heard the call for him by name

And steadfast

He flew

Wild, untamed.

 

Chasing the voice

That sang

Beyond the clouds,

Above the rain.

 

Faster and higher he rose

Towards the chorus prose,

Their lyrics of beauty

Promising, this was a steppingstone.

 

As he wearied

Through the journey of fury

One last stride

Turned the tide.

 

Angels embraced their feathered friend

And lifted him gently to his journey’s end.

 

Yet this was a new beginning,

The prize for the Eagle’s yearning.

 

For Spirit,

Always faithful and true

Delivered his treasure due.

 

And with one last breath

The Eagle transformed in death

And by God Himself

Was laid to rest.

 

Now whenever a feather

Finds its way on earthly ground,

We know it’s a token

From our beloved Eagle to be found,

Letting us know

He is safe and sound.

 

~Tash 12/15/2020

 

Just as every eagle eventually heads towards the sun one last time, so did our beloved Jack Allen Krumm on December 6, 2020. He was an honorable and magnificent husband, Dad, Grandpa, Great Grandpa, uncle, brother and friend who lived life fully and nobly. Words will not suffice to express how much he is missed already and always.

 

Jack Allen Krumm was born on April 8, 1940 in Greeley, Colorado to Mary and George Krumm. The couple had four children, Jack being the youngest. His family moved to Anaconda during his early childhood for his father’s employment at the Anaconda Smelter.

 

Studious as well as courageous, Jack attended public school until at the young age of 16 he joined the military. He proudly served in the Army from May 28 1956-May 27 1959, and after active duty he served in the Army Reserves until 1978. He was a devoted Veteran and for this we honor him immensely.

 

One of our favorite stories is of his marriage proposal to the love of his life Betty Drescher in the form of a handwritten letter from one of his dispatches. He was indeed a sincere, heartfelt romantic.

 

Jack and Betty were married on July 16, 1960 at St. Peter’s church in Anaconda. Soon after, they started their family, raising four children of their own, Tammy, Tom, Tim and Amy.

 

A dynamic and devoted worker to any occupation, Jack had many. He was a worker for the Anaconda Smelter, a blacksmith for the mines in Butte, and an employee for Sugrue Bottling Company. On September 27, 1969 he became a Deputy Sheriff of Deer Lodge County, Montana. At one point he was promoted to Under Sheriff and continued to work for the Police Force until experiencing two heart attacks which lead him to an early retirement in 1980. After which, he worked for Town Pump and Butte Produce in their business offices.

 

In 1972 Jack and Betty started their family business June’s Pasty Shop. Jack labored by hand peeling every potato that became a part of Betty’s delicious delights. Together, they produced their pasties for Anaconda, and surrounding cities of the Big Sky. He always looked forward to a friendly conversation with the store managers between business exchange and visits to his great grandkids in Helena after a delivery. His grandkids enjoyed accompanying him on his delivery routes. We recall listening to stories of his past, while Patsy Cline, or Martina McBride often serenaded the drive. He always treated us to a hot meal afterwards and often would explain how “back in his day” we could have had the same burger and milkshake for a dime.

 

Jack was remarkably involved in the Anaconda community. He was a member of the Jaycees, Elks Lodge #239, Eagles, Knights of Columbus, and the American Legion. In every club he held a position of extinguished leadership. Particularly in the Elks Lodge, Jack was Exalted Ruler for numerous years, voted Member of the Year, State Vice President and State President, a position he held with great esteem and gratitude. During his time at the Elks, he cooked countless meals for fundraisers to further building development, youth activities and more. Friday night dinners were his specialty. He cooked to generate proceeds for the current elevator and simultaneously trained his grandchildren for their first job in the food and beverage industry, teaching them the value of hard work. While in the Jaycees, Jack volunteered time to developing the Little League baseball field where he umpired as well. He also thoroughly enjoyed the planning of and participating in every reunion for the class of 1957.

 

However, out of all of the accomplishments, accreditations and accolades he earned, Jack was by far the most proud and devoted to his family. He never missed an opportunity to attend his kids’, grandkids’ and great grandkids’ sports games, track meets, recitals, plays, rodeos, concerts, graduations and ceremonies. He deeply valued candid moments and the sentimentality of photographs. He never left home without his camera, in reverence to capture and savor every moment he could. All of us share immense joy when we review his photography and reminisce over the sincere pride, he had for us all in our endeavors. He never failed to make any of us feel less than extremely talented and loved.

 

To say Jack had a “hobby” of coin collecting would be a ridiculous understatement. He never watched a John Wayne film without shedding a tear or pet a dog without a treat in hand. He wasn’t easily excitable unless one of his children exclaimed on road trips “hop in the back Jack!” or his grandkid held up a specific finger in the family portrait. He was particularly fond of travel, his backyard solar lights, black coffee, dining out, finding deals at Harbor Freight and Costco, using the latest technology, crossword puzzles and watching for wildlife. With family as his truest treasure, he spent decades researching and collecting information on our family heritage.

 

In his final days, Jack continued to work for the Pasty Shop, spend quality time with family and capture pictures of wildlife, his favorite….the eagle.

 

Jack was an all-around good man, a tender heart with a strong soul. He fought fiercely all the way to the end. He is loved and missed beyond measure. As your family, we thank you for living a life so full of integrity, service, appreciation and love. May we honor you daily by believing you are with us in our hearts always. Until we meet again…on eagle’s wings.

 

Jack was proceeded in death by his parents, siblings Delores McAuliffe, Bonnie (Charles) McLean, Bob (Doris) Krumm, mother-in-law Helen Drescher, in-laws Colleen (Ron) Eliason, John (Doody) Drescher, Loretta (Paul) Barrett, Carl Drescher.

 

Jack’s legacy lives on in his wife Betty, children Tammy (Steve) Gates, Tom (Jeanne) Krumm, Tim (Jenny) Krumm, Amy (Ken) Blume, grandchildren Tegan (Garrett) Thompson, Tashia, Tyler (Ronelle), Trys Gates, Korey (Russell) Krumm, McKenah Blume, Kelley (Andie) Krumm, Ethan Blume, Cheylyn, Bridger Krumm, Brennen Blume and Bryley Krumm. Great grandchildren Harper, Turner Thompson and Steelee Gates. Many special nieces and nephews whom he also dearly loved.

 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Anaconda Vietnam Era Veterans Memorial Association P.O. Box 126 Anaconda, MT 59711.

 

Due to COVID-19, A Celebration of Life service will be held in April 2021. Details to follow closer to this date.

 

Thank you for all of those who contributed to honoring our beloved Jack in his life and now.