Gene Alex Schwantes

Gene Alex Schwantes, 71, passed away on Thursday, July 11th, with his family by his side after a 4.5 year battle with GIST cancer. A memorial service will be held at 1:00p.m. on Thursday, July 18, 2024, at Hillcrest Lawn Memorial Chapel.

Gene was born in Mayville, WI, on February 16, 1953, to Alex and Peggy Schwantes. The family moved to Neihart, MT in the early 1960s. Gene fell in love with Montana and has resided here ever since. After graduating from Belt Valley High School, he joined the Army and proudly served his country. Unfortunately, in Vietnam, he was exposed to Agent Orange, the cause of his GIST cancer. Gene was honorably discharged from the Army and returned to Montana. He worked as a grain inspector at the Montana State Grain Laboratory for 35 years, retiring in 2011. Gene could fix just about anything and took pride in all of his projects. Gene was very particular about the upkeep of his lawn, and if he heard someone in the neighborhood mowing their lawn, he would too.

Gene met the love of his life, Lori Wirtala, in the summer of 1974. They were married in Geyser on July 10, 1976, and spent 48 years plus one day together. They welcomed their two amazing daughters, Erin and Meghan, and enjoyed following their volleyball and basketball careers. Gene was an avid outdoor enthusiast and especially loved hunting with his brothers, Rod and Ray, and being in the mountains. He and Lori spent their summers golfing, traveling to watch their favorite sports teams, including the Green Bay Packers, Atlanta Braves, Seattle Mariners, and Montana Grizzlies, or meeting friends for Packers and Grizzlies watch parties.  In later years they were able to watch their grandchildren’s baseball, softball, football, and basketball games in Arizona and Montana.

Gene was known for his outgoing and energetic personality. He would approach and start a conversation wherever he was with anyone wearing his favorite sports team’s attire. His storytelling was one of a kind, and our hearts are filled with unforgettable memories of his humor. As he always would say - “can’t we all just get along?”

Gene is survived by his wife, Lori; daughters, Erin (Jeremiah) Hicks and Meghan (Steve) Grady; grandchildren, Garrett and Miah Hicks, and Gannon and Grant Grady; brother, Rod (Kristy) Schwantes; sister-in-law, Lorena Schwantes; mother-in-law, Lois Wirtala; sisters-in-law Shelley (Joe) Kolar and Debbie (Mark) Visocan; brother-in-law, Allen (Lyndie) Wirtala; many nieces and nephews; and great-nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Alex and Peggy; brother, Raymond; and father-in-law, Donnie Wirtala.

For their kind care and compassion, thank you to Dr. Patrick Tang and staff at Sletten Cancer Institute, Jason Gleason and staff at Great Falls VA Clinic, VA Pharmacist Regan, and Benefis Peace Hospice/Home Hospice staff.

Donations in Gene’s name are suggested to the Grace Home Veterans Center in Great Falls, MT, or the Montana VA Healthcare System- https://www.va.gov/montana-health-care/work-with-us/volunteer-or-donate/.