Obituary - Ed Stremcha

Ed Stremcha, 80, passed away November 25, 2018, from complications of a heart attack with his family by his side.

Ed was born to Joe and Bessie Stremcha on July 7, 1938, in Havre, Montana. Ed was raised on a farm north of Havre, and graduated from Havre High School in 1957. In 1958 Ed met the love of his life Georgia Larson, and they were wed two years later in the summer of 1960.

In 1971 Ed and his family moved to Anchorage, Alaska, where he worked as a machinist for the Alaska Railroad until April 1994. While in Alaska, Ed enjoyed hunting moose and caribou, salmon and halibut fishing, gardening, traveling around the state, and taking in the annual sled dog races.

After retiring from the railroad, Ed and Georgia returned to Montana to be closer to family and enjoy their new adventure. They settled in Helena where Ed was an active member of the community and was always available to help out his neighbors when needed. Ed enjoyed spending his retirement years gardening, canning, cooking, spending time with family, and especially sharing stories about his life.

Ed was preceded in death by his wife, Georgia; parents; and grandson Benjamin.

Ed is survived by his children, Julie (Doug) O'Brien of Anchorage, Alaska, Laurie Barrett of Malta, Montana, and Kathy (Brad) Thompson of Belgrade, Montana; sister, Carolyn Green; brothers, Fred Stremcha and Bobby Stremcha; grandchildren Shane (Richelle) Barrett, Shiloh Barrett, Cheyenne (Dwight) Score, Christopher (Amanda) O'Brien, Alexander (Hannah) O'Brien; seven great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Ed's name to St. Peters Foundation for the Diabetes Program Fund, 2475 Broadway, Helena, MT 59601; or Providence Montana Health Foundation for the St. Patrick House, 502 West Spruce Street, Missoula, MT 59802.

A celebration of his life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, November 30th, at Retz Funeral Home, 315 East 6th Ave, Helena. A coffee and cookie reception will follow the service at the funeral home. Please visit http://www.retzfuneralhome.com to offer a condolence or share a memory of Ed.