Earl Benjamin Bahr

Earl Bahr, 95, of Chinook, Montana peacefully joined our Lord on April 24, 2018, at the Sweet Nursing Home surrounded by his family. He was preceded in death by love of his life, Geraldine Bahr, his parents, Fred and Lena Bahr, his siblings Raymond Dalke, Ruby Tindall, Rose Gilbert, John Bahr, Anna Sand, and his grandson, Todd Storrusten. Earl is survived by his children Sandi (Gary) Nelson, Candy (Dennis) Storrusten, Bill (Sheree) Bahr, Mick (Sawein) Bahr, Lonnie (Ken) Bryan, Joe (Mary) Bahr and Jacque (Scott) Gunderson. Earl was the patriarch of an enormous loving family that includes 21 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great-grandchildren, 55 in total. Earl and Jeri opened their home and their hearts to cousins, nieces, nephews, neighbors, friends and in-laws with as much love as they had. Earl was surrounded by loving family members as he died of natural causes.

Earl was born in his home the day after Christmas 1922 while his dad nervously waited for the midwife to arrive. He was raised on his parents' homestead north of Chinook where he lived most of his life. He bravely served in the Marine Corps during World War II in the Pacific earning a bronze star for heroic service in a combat zone and a purple heart. Earl returned home to Chinook and married Geraldine Johnson in 1946 in the back of the hardware store in Shelby, Montana. Earl ranched and farmed along with his wife and children until he retired. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary 4620, the American Legion Post 48 and the Chinook Eagles 689.

Earl was a tough cowboy, a masterful storyteller, a singer of cowboy songs and a shark at cribbage. He was so tough that he survived a natural gas explosion, bucking broncs and surly farm implements. His family describes him as stubborn, brave, strong, loving, capable and hard working. Family was everything to him. Earl had a mischievous character and was well known for his sense of humor; his smile contagious and his laughter unforgettable. Earl will be missed by his family and his community. Earl's family would like to thank the staff of the Sweet Home for his outstanding care during the last few years of his life.

A service to celebrate his life was held on April 28, 2018 at the American Lutheran Church in Chinook, Montana.

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