GEORGE PITMAN obituary LEWISTOWN

George Nicholas Pitman, 69, of Oelrichs, S. D., died Thursday, May 24, 2007 in Yankton, S.D., after a long illness.

A memorial service is planned for 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the home of Merlin and Marcia Myers at 168 Arrowhead Drive in Lewistown. All friends and family are welcome. Inurnment will be in Central Montana Memorial Gardens of Lewistown. George was born Nov. 7, 1937, in Bozeman to Alvin and Ada Pitman. He grew up in the Grass Range area, where he attended Grass Range High School, played basketball, track, and graduated valedictorian of his class in 1956. He attended Eastern Montana College, where he met and married his wife of 45 years, Audrey M. Jenson, in 1962. George ranched and farmed in Blaine County near Chinook most of his life. In 1991, he moved his family to the Oelrichs, S.D., area, where he managed a large cattle ranch on the Pine Ridge Reservation until his retirement. George had a fondness for hard work, competition of any kind, particularly basketball and track, and a love of history. He had a warm and welcoming heart, unusual wit and wisdom, and a surprisingly perceptive understanding of people in general. He had an infectious enthusiasm and distinctive personality. Survivors include his wife, Audrey Pitman, of Hot Springs, S. D .; children, Steve (Barbra) Pitman of Broadus, Heidi (Ray) DeStefano of Gillette, Wyo., Georgine (Robert) Curtis of Idaho Falls, Idaho, Tom (Becky) Pitman of Rapid City, S.D., and Eric Pitman of Hot Springs, S.D .; mother, Ada Pitman, of Bozeman; brothers, Paul (Luella) Pitman of Winnett, Steve (Billie) Pitman of Billings and Dan Pitman of Bozeman; eight grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Condolences for the family may be left at http://www.cloydfuneralhome. com. The Cloyd Funeral Home is assisting the family.