GERALD "JERRY" BILGER

Gerald "Jerry" Allen Bilger was born on April 10, 1952 in Havre, MT, to Paul and Judith (Moxley) Bilger. He left this world too soon but peacefully after years of struggling COPD, on December 3, 2015 in Great Falls, MT at the young age of 63. Memorial services will be held on Thursday, December 10, 2015 at 1 p.m. at the American Lutheran Church in Chinook. Arrangements have been made with Edwards Funeral Home of Chinook. Condolences may be left for the family at http://www.edwardsfuneralhomemt.com.

Jerry grew up in Chinook, MT, where he attended school and had lots of memories and stories with his family and friends! He had a great bond with his brothers and even though his sister was the only girl, she shares a very special place in all the memories. Jerry worked at many restaurants as a cook and also was an amazing bartender at many places. He loved taking care of people and visiting. He loved cooking and baking and never was there a time where you would go to visit and not find sweet treats! He loved hanging out with his kids and sure we all had those moments and let our hair down, that's one thing for sure that he did! He could make anyone laugh from becoming the name of "Left Field" to having shaving cream faces drawn on him. He was one of the biggest "As Seen On TV" supporters out there and with this...everything had a purpose and needed to be tried out. He was one to try anything once. Unstoppable and a true fighter, he never stopped loving and being there for his children and wife. He'd argue til he was blue in the face to get his point across, a trait he has most definitely passed down to his children. He loved singing Karaoke, playing dice, horseshoes, hunting, bowling, camping and hanging out with family. He enjoyed his TV programs of game shows and Lifetime shows that all had true meaning and tears would shed. There are so many stories we could share together while camping and sitting by bonfires, some we can never repeat. He loved his grandchildren and great-grandchildren so much. Always telling us kids that we're making him old and he needs a calendar to keep track of them all.

In 1975, he met his first love, Marilynn May Pekovitch, where his family began and he joined Marilynn, whom was widowed with two amazing children Edlynn and Shane Whitish. They then welcomed three of their own children, Tawnya, Misty and JR. They all spent time camping, going to Glacier Park, bowling, swimming and having fun. They divorced in 1989 but remained friends.

He later met his current love, Katherine "Kathy" Gamble Bilger. They started their lives in 1993, enjoying many years together that led them to joining in marriage on August 12, 2005, adding her 3 children to the family. He stood by and was the best he could be for his wife, whom is fighting her own battle of cancer and he loved her and they took care of one another with unconditional love.

Jerry is survived by his wife; Katherine "Kathy" Bilger (Havre), his children; Edlynn "Lynn" (Robert) Porter (Fairview), Shane Whitish and special friend Michelle Richards (Colstrip), Tawnya Bilger and special friend John Gilead (Havre), Misty (Trinity) Swenson (Chinook), JR Bilger and the mothers of his children, Chelsea Case (Mississippi) and Amanda Blakesly (Wyoming), his stepchildren; Coral Storm and special friend Harlan Schmitt (Helena), Randi (Robert) Long (Billings), Thunder Storm and special friend Tylor Matskow (Havre). Sister; Cindy (Russell) Rohrer (Pueblo, CO), brothers; Bill (Andrea) Bilger (Havre), Jim Bilger and special friend Brenda Card (Great Falls), Bob (Annette "Sugar") Bilger (Glasgow), extended family; Bonnie McPherson, Katie Miller, Dephin, Julie Cox, Donnie Gamble, Dale Gamble, and many more, numerous nephews and nieces and numerous friends. All his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Grandchildren; (32) Ashley, Calvin, Terry, Kyle, Cody, Shantel, Jackson, Peighton, Tyler, Dannael, Angel, Jonathan, James (JJ), Vinnessa, Wylie, Reubin, Tatiana, Baylea, Jayden, Matthew, Chastidee, Jennisee, Gabrielle, MacKenzie, Patrick, Andrew, Kendra, Kyla, Quentin, Alex, Anna, Bailey, and Keagin. Great-Grandchildren; (9) Amaya, Owen, Madison, Sophia, Karter, Gloria, Logan, Braylin, and Kaiden.

He was preceded in death by his parents; Paul and Judith (Moxley) Bilger, first love; Marilynn May (Pekovitch) Bilger, brother; Dale Smith, granddaughter; Anna Marie Gilead, nephew; Cory Bilger, several in-laws; Edwards Pekovitch, Florence Andrews, Edwin Pekovitch, Mary and Charlie Copple, Kay Bilger, Linda Bilger, Ardis and Larry Bowman, Terri Sees, Keno Rosalez, George Cox, Debbie Gamble and more.

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