George W Quander

George Warren Quander, age 93, of Great Falls and formerly of Conrad, died of heart failure on November 28, 2014. George was an intelligent and caring man, possessed of exceptional integrity, and he will be missed. At his request, no formal services are planned. He will be buried in Conrad’s Mt. Olive Cemetery next to his much-beloved wife, Ella. Cremation has taken place under the direction of O’Connor Funeral Home. George was born to Ida (Heise) Quander and Bert Quander on March 29, 1921, on a small homestead near Big Sandy, Montana. George was the youngest of three children, including his sister, Pearl, who died in 1924 at age 9 and his brother, Jack, who died in 1961 at age 45. George grew up ranching and riding horseback to school in Big Sandy, where he graduated at age 17 as Valedictorian of his small class. The day after graduation, he gathered his belongings in a sack and rode his horse to the hills to tend a small cattle herd. George was a cowboy until Pearl Harbor was bombed, after which he enlisted in the army. George saw his first fighting as part of a construction brigade in Papua New Guinea. He then was selected for specialized training in Australia as part of the Signal Intelligence Service, a counter-intelligence unit. He served in the Philippines for the duration. His unit was geared-up for the pending invasion of Japan when atomic bombs ended the war. After being honorably discharged in 1947, George returned to Fort Benton, where he met his life-long love, Ella Elvina Jensen. They married in June of 1951. George and Ella moved to Conrad, where he became Parts Manager of the Conrad Implement Company. In 1965, George joined the Farmer’s State Bank of Conrad, where he ultimately served as Comptroller and Internal Auditor, and on the Board of Directors, until his retirement in 1986. George and Ella also purchased and operated the Staaf Apartments for many years. George and Ella raised two sons in Conrad, Donald Warren Quander (born 1951) and Kent James Quander (born 1957), both of whom graduated from Conrad High School. Although they were not able to attend college, they made sure that their sons would. In 1988, George and Ella moved to Great Falls, but continued many close relationships in Conrad. Ella died in May of 1997, after 46 years of marriage, during which they were true partners, best friends, and dearest companions. Although blessed with loving family and exceptional friends, and taking great interest in their lives, George never stopped missing Ella. George is survived by his sons, Donald Quander (Elinore) of Evergreen, CO and Kent Quander of Holland, MI; four grandchildren Caitlin (Dan) Murray, Alyssa (Kevin) Riley, Marshall Quander, and Jameson Quander. George will be deeply missed by family and dear friends, including care-giver, Vikki Crocker.