Carl Ernest Maehl’s life ended peacefully of natural causes on September 1, 2021 at home in Helena with his family beside him.
He was born on December 7 1938 at home in Philipsburg, Montana to Carl and Edith Maehl and was the oldest of four children. His young years in Philipsburg were filled with great lifelong friends, hard work, and weekends at the family cabin on Rock Creek.
After High School, Carl attended Montana State where he earned an Electrical Engineering degree in 1960 and embarked on a 35-year career at Montana Power Company. He worked in Great Falls for a year, before attending Officer Candidate School. Carl served in the US Navy in California and Sasebo Japan then continued in the Naval Reserve as a Lieutenant Commander. After his return from active service, he continued his Montana Power Company career in Butte and Helena, ultimately retiring as superintendent of the Helena Division. His crew knew he was a solid man in stature and personality, and he always had their best interest at heart.
In 1963, Carl made the best decision of his life and married Karen Pentecost of Butte. They raised four children and he was the ultimate fan for his kids and grandchildren’s activities.
He and Karen were lucky to enjoy a full retirement with family and friends. His adventures included cruising, traveling the back roads, 4-wheeling, snowmobiling, poker, hunting, fishing, YMCA, Friday breakfast bunch and numerous family gatherings.
Carl is survived by Karen, his wife of 58 years; his children Julie Abrahamsen (Bruce Haswell), Kate (Ray) Foster, Carl (Gail) Maehl and Dave (Meredith) Maehl; Grandkids Kaare Abrahamsen, Eric and Liz Foster, MacKenzie and Ben Maehl, Andy and Katie Maehl; Bonus grandkids, Nick, Natascha, Greg and Kirsten and great grandchildren Gunnar and Minnie. His siblings, Lois (Tom) Lowe, Robert Maehl and Edie (Mathew) Roberts. Sister and brother-in-law Mary Larsen and Karl (Jean) Pentecost along with numerous nieces, nephews and special friends who made his amazing journey complete.
At the conclusion of life, surrounded by loved ones, you get to look back and put all the pieces together and know it was a life well lived. He taught us from a young age to know the true difference between Essence and Trivia and he reminded us often of this value with his famous goodbye greeting: “Nothing dumb!”
A Mass will be held at 12 noon on Wednesday October 13, 2021 at the Cathedral of St. Helena 530 N Ewing St Helena, MT 59601. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in Carl’s name to: American Legion, Montana Veterans Cemetery Fund or the charity of your choice.
Service Schedule
Funeral Mass
12:00 pm
Wednesday October 13, 2021
Cathedral of Saint Helena
530 N Ewing St
Helena, Montana 59601
Service Schedule
Funeral Mass
12:00 pm
Wednesday October 13, 2021
Cathedral of Saint Helena
530 N Ewing St
Helena, Montana 59601
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Vicki Zander says
Vicki Zander
Carl was a wonderful person,so sorry for your loss.
I worked with him at Montana Power.He was one to stand up
For the people under him.I’m sure he will be missed by all that new him.
Rest in peace Carl.
W Tabaracci says
Sending our love to you! Carl was a man with a big caring personality! He will be missed❤️ He left quite a legacy in all of you.
Michael Glueckert says
Carl was a great man and supervisor.all others could take a lesson on treating people with respect and goodness. My sincere heartfelt condolences and prayers go out to the family.so very sorry of his passing .
Patty McDonald says
What a loss, Carl bigger than life. Will be missed by all the Philipsburg cousins.
Dawn Reynolds says
Carl was a very kind person, even to friends he did not know. RIP, condolences to his family for the loss of a truly nice person.
Mary Larsen and family says
Always the rock and the big gentle heart. Thank you Carl for watching over us all throughout the years,providing advice, support, laughter and love( and of course..something we really needed from your garage) we have many memories to cherish.love you forever💕
Andrew Posewitz says
The Big Fella was a true north star. I can not walk out a door without the booming “nothing stupid” ringing in my ear. That guidance will remain with the generations who received it and his legacy proudly carried by all he influenced. His heart was a home away from home for anyone who ever met him. He genuinely made the world a better place, a much better place. Will miss you Big Fella.
Deborah Witham says
He was a great friend and mentor to my brother Rick Lyons. They worked together building colstrip. Lost Rick 11 years ago but it was always great to talk to Carl. RIP
Mary Warner says
His laugh and hug made me feel special. I loved that guy. So sorry Karen. He was a special man among us. My prayers are with you all. Mary
Dave and Sheila Harvey says
Having had the pleasure and honor of being this family’s next door neighbor for nearly 30 years, it feels like the street has been ripped from the neighborhood. The anchor for us all is missing, and it will never be the same around here, but I will cherish the memories all of my days. Memories like the time his boat blew over the fence into my yard, him yelling at me “hey you’re working too hard”! Or “if my house catches on fire wait 30 minutes then call the fire department “, hearing his booming voice and laugh from INSIDE his house, and the missing turkey(“but we have a rubber duck”!). He is a legend. We will miss him so much. We love you Karen and family.
Deanne Gustin Vizurraga says
Big. Big heart, big smile with a big, booming voice. I was lucky enough to first know Mr Maehl in my high school years, and I definitely did not want to do anything that might deserve reprimanding from Mr Maehl. I still did do dumb things but somehow he was a constant source of love, big love. Rest In Peace.
Terry W Bass says
Always a positive stature. A true person to many. Me he Rest In Peace.
Bill Kellogg says
My sincere thoughts and prayers to the family. I always enjoyed my talks with Carl as he grilled me with question after question when ever I visited. He always wanted to know what was going on in my world and I admired that a lot. I will miss him.
Fred Budd says
Karen I am very sorry to read of Carl’s passing. Memories of all the fun we had on our softball and basketball teams. Playing Montana Power tournaments were a great time for all his Butte friends. Even though it’s been years since we ‘ve seen each other we’ll always have those great memories. My condolences to you and your family!
John Mike and Jean Dennehy says
When we saw Carl’s picture in the paper, somehow we heard his wonderful booming voice and felt his infectious smile. We are very sorry for your loss. Carl was so special to everyone who had the privilege to know him. We always admired his love and support for his family, especially his partner, Karen. We loved the pranks he would pull on us and then walk away laughing. He was so much fun to be around and so comforting when things were a little tough. He will be missed. Sending our love to Karen and his family!
RoseMary E Hayes says
I could hear his laugh when I read in the paper he passed away. Always fun to be around him and Karen. He will be missed.
Gail McKinnon says
What an incredible man Carl was, he lit up a room when he entered. Karen & to all your lovely children & grandchildren, we are so sorry for your loss. So honored to have known him over the years. We are sending prayers. Gail McKinnon & Greg
Dana Woodward says
Carl was a great supervisor, even to us guys who were in his division from rainbow. I look forward to seeing you again!
Melanie and Bill Rasor says
Karen and family:
I am so very sorry for your loss😪. Hugs to all of you and may all of your cherished memories of him keep his spirit alive.
Rest In Peace Carl !
Jimmy Sherwin Hansen says
Carl is my first cousin. His mom, Edith, is the sister of my dad…Lloyd Hansen. I am ten years younger than Carl. I don’t remember meeting Carl in person; although we connected recently on Facebook. Jimmy Hansen.
Eternal rest grant unto Carl, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May Carl’s soul, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
Myrna Leipheimer says
From first grade on, he was my side kick. He was what made the Class of 56 famous. We all bonded together to make us be the funnest of all. Well Dear Friend, will miss you bunches!
william moore says
well cousin we are going to miss you and your cheery ways.
Joanie Werner Mathis says
Always a smile and jolly. You were always such a delightful couple. I was your banker at Mountain West Bank and appreciated your friendship and your daughter too!
Nora says
So very sorry for your loss. Carl was always friendly and we had fun with him and Karen on the Bingo bus.
Brad And Stephanie Munk says
Out heartfelt sympathies to you Karen and family!
We remember Carl as a man with great character and honestly! He was a Supervisor that was fair and a friend to all. Always encouraging family first and a big support to all of his family at Mt Power and Northwestern Energy.
Jane Weber says
I am so lucky to have had that last visit with you. We laughed until there were tears telling our stories. Some of them were even true. In fact all of our meeting were like that. I was blessed with a man that will prepare the happy dance road for us all. Be well my friend. I know you are. Thanks for sharing.
Kate Foster says
Carl Maehl Memorial Video https://photos.app.goo.gl/cbMQofrzFnkAQxVG8
Mary Runkel says
When Carl Maehl laughed and smiled you felt you were in the presence of something greater than one man. All the kindness he shared with Karen and his family was incredible. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time Karen.
Henry Flatow says
Karen and family, I am sorry for your loss. I always appreciated Carl’s greetings and support whether it be at a Legion baseball game or at the YMCA. He had an infectious way of greeting people. He will be missed.
Jimmy Hansen says
Karen (and family), I just finished watching on YouTube, Carl’s Funeral Mass. I am a 73-year old first cousin of Carl. I am a son of Lloyd Hansen, Edith’s brother. I don’t ever remember meeting Carl, except briefly through FaceBook. I did meet Tom Lowe four decades ago through work in Salem, Oregon. We do have a common faith, as I became Catholic in 1978 through the example of my wife. I will continue to pray for Carl and your family. Jimmy Hansen.
Gail Kriskovich says
Dear Karen and Family. I just read the obituary for Carl. I wanted to express my sympathy to all of your family. I used to get caught up about your family through Gail at church here in Missoula, but since the pandemic, I have not heard anything. Know that I will keep you in my prayers, and sending lots of hugs to all. God bless all of you, Gail Kriskovich