Obituary - Gerald "Jerry" Allen Bilger

Gerald "Jerry" Allen Bilger was born on April 10, 1952, in Havre, Montana, to Paul and Judith (Moxley) Bilger. He left this world too soon but peacefully after years of struggling with COPD on Dec. 3, 2015, in Great Falls, Montana, at the young age of 63.

Memorial services will be held on Thursday, Dec. 10, 2015, at 1 p.m., at the American Lutheran Church in Chinook.

Arrangements have been made with Edwards Funeral Home of Chinook. Condolences may be left for the family at http://www.edwardsfuneralhomemt.com.

Jerry grew up in Chinook, where he attended school and had lots of memories and stories with his family and friends.

He had a great bond with his brothers and even though she was the only girl, his sister shares a very special place in all the memories. Jerry worked at many restaurants as a cook and was an amazing bartender at many places. He loved taking care of people and visiting. He loved cooking and baking and never was there a time where you would go to visit and not find sweet treats. He loved hanging out with his kids and sure we all had those moments and let our hair down, that's one thing for sure that he did.

He could make anyone laugh from becoming the name of "Left Field" to having shaving cream faces drawn on him. He was one of the biggest "As Seen On TV" supporters out there and with this ... everything had a purpose and needed to be tried out.

He was one to try anything once. Unstoppable and a true fighter, he never stopped loving and being there for his children and wife. He'd argue until he was blue in the face to get his point across, a trait he has most definitely passed down to his children. He loved singing karaoke, playing dice, horseshoes, hunting, bowling, camping and hanging out with family. He enjoyed his TV programs of game shows and Lifetime shows that all had true meaning and tears would shed. There are so many stories we could share together while camping and sitting by bonfires, some we can never repeat. He loved his grandchildren and great-grandchildren so much. Always telling us kids that we're making him old and he needs a calendar to keep track of them all.

In 1975, he met his first love, Marilynn May Pekovitch, where his family began. He joined Marilynn, who was widowed with two amazing children, Edlynn and Shane Whitish. They then welcomed three of their own children, Tawnya, Misty and J.R. They all spent time camping, going to Glacier National Park, bowling, swimming and having fun. They divorced in 1989 but remained friends.

He later met his current love, Katherine "Kathy" Gamble Bilger. They started their lives in 1993, enjoying many years together that led them to joining in marriage on Aug. 12, 2005, adding her three children to the family. He stood by and was the best he could be for his wife, who is fighting her own battle of cancer, and he loved her, and they took care of one another with unconditional love.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Katherine "Kathy" Bilger of Havre; his children, Edlynn "Lynn" (Robert) Porter of Fairview, Shane Whitish and special friend, Michelle Richards of Colstrip, Tawnya Bilger and special friend, John Gilead of Havre, Misty (Trinity) Swenson of Chinook, J.R. Bilger and the mothers of his children, Chelsea Case of Mississippi and Amanda Blakesly of Wyoming, his step-children, Coral Storm and special friends Harlan Schmitt of Helena, Randi (Robert) Long of Billings, Thunder Storm and special friend Tylor Matskow of Havre.

He is also survived by sister, Cindy (Russell) Rohrer of Pueblo, Colorado; brothers, Bill (Andrea) Bilger of Havre, Jim Bilger and special friend, Brenda Card, of Great Falls, Bob (Annette "Sugar") Bilger of Glasgow; extended family, Bonnie McPherson, Katie Miller, Dephin, Julie Cox, Donnie Gamble, Dale Gamble, and many more; numerous nephews and nieces; and numerous friends.

He is also survived by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren; grandchildren, Ashley, Calvin, Terry, Kyle, Cody, Shantel, Jackson, Peighton, Tyler, Dannael, Angel, Jonathan, James (J.J.), Vinnessa, Wylie, Reubin, Tatiana, Baylea, Jayden, Matthew, Chastidee, Jennisee, Gabrielle, MacKenzie, Patrick, Andrew, Kendra, Kyla, Quentin, Alex, Anna, Bailey and Keagin; great-grandchildren, Amaya, Owen, Madison, Sophia, Karter, Gloria, Logan, Braylin and Kaiden.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Judith (Moxley) Bilger, his first love, Marilynn May (Pekovitch) Bilger; brother, Dale Smith; granddaughter, Anna Marie Gilead; nephew, Cory Bilger; several in-laws, Edwards Pekovitch, Florence Andrews, Edwin Pekovitch, Mary and Charlie Copple, Kay Bilger, Linda Bilger, Ardis and Larry Bowman, Terri Sees, Keno Rosalez, George Cox, Debbie Gamble and more.