Early on October 24, 2018, Gary passed away peacefully in his sleep after an extended illness while at St. Peter’s Hospital in Helena, MT.
Gary L. Spaeth was born in Billings, Montana on January 13, 1945 as the oldest son to Alfred and Lucy Jane Spaeth of Silesia, Montana.
Gary was a driven individual and attended MSU Bozeman; where he received his BA and moved to Missoula to earn his law degree from University of Montana. Gary lived in Helena intermittently since 1974 and held many positions within the government and the community. He was the chairman of the Helena Citizens Council, chairman of the Lewis and Clark Fair Foundation, chairman for three years of the Lewis and Clark Humane Society, as well as many others. Gary attended Army Engineering OCS being commissioned in the Military Intelligence Branch and served his country.
Gary retired from the State of Montana where he was Assistant Chief Counsel for the State Auditor’s Office and previously for the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation; he served 4 terms in the State House where he was the Appropriations Chairman and Majority Whip. After Gary’s retirement he spent his time, putting his knowledge of the law and government to work as a lobbyist for a number of principals throughout the years.
His two nieces remember him fondly spending Easter holidays and time in Big Sky with him and his dogs throughout the years. As they grew older, they connected with their uncle on a new level and shared his appreciation for a meal at Toi’s Thai and a nice bottle of wine. Going out with Gary was always a social event where he would know at least a few people at every location from his various connections in the community and the government and would be able to make everyone feel special by remembering key details about their lives.
Gary Spaeth was preceded in death by father Alfred Spaeth, mother Lucy Jane Spaeth, and life partner Kenneth “Skip” Kildore as well as many extended family members.
Gary is survived by his brother Leon Spaeth and his two nieces: Erin Spaeth Kalanick and Matt Kalanick and Elyssa Spaeth Wassmann and Troy Wassmann. One great nephew: Kern Michael Kalanick and his dogs Zippy and George.
Viewing will be held from 11:00 am to 12:45 pm on Friday, November 2nd at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 n. Montana Ave in Helena. A funeral service with military honors will be held at 1:00 pm on Friday November 2nd at the funeral home with a reception to follow in the social hall of the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials in honor of Gary are suggested to be sent to Lewis & Clark Humane Society, P.O. Box 4455, Helena, MT 59604. Please visit below to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Gary.
Service Schedule
Viewing
11:00 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
Friday November 2, 2018
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Service
1:00 p.m.
Friday November 2, 2018
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the fuenral service
Friday November 2, 2018
Social hall of the funeral home
,
Service Schedule
Viewing
11:00 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
Friday November 2, 2018
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Service
1:00 p.m.
Friday November 2, 2018
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the fuenral service
Friday November 2, 2018
Social hall of the funeral home
,
Share
Doug Olson says
To Gary’s surviving relatives and friends– I had the pleasure of knowing Gary when I lived in Helena and worked with him as an attorney, legislator, and volunteer. He was always to me friendly, caring for his family and community in Carbon County and Helena, giving of his time and talent to many charitable organizations. His wry smile and wit made it enjoyable to visit with him. Our society could clearly use more people with Gary’s talents and charity. Doug Olson, Minneapolis.
Paul Pacini says
I had the honor of serving on the Helena Citizens’ Council with Gary for four years. His dry humor added some levity to our meetings, and his foresight and dedication brought new and innovative ideas to our attention. He was a unique and valuable asset to our the Council’s efforts as he has been for society during his 73 years on the planet.
JIM brown says
Gary was a kind, funny, and insightful man. I enjoyed being in his company. I am sorry to hear of his passing; he will be missed during legislative sessions. best to his family.
Margaret L Woo says
I’m so sad to learn that Gary passed. I knew him when he was a law student, and I an undergrad. That was a long time ago. Over the years, we have crossed paths, especially since he moved to Helena and I would walk through his neighborhood with my dogs. Sometimes we chatted, and the exchanges were always interesting He was a character and he had character. You will be missed, my friend.
Terry minow says
I am sorry to hear that Gary passed on. We worked together lobbying the legislature against the closure of MDC and for appropriate services for people with disabilities. He was hard working, passionate, a formidable force. He was brave & always optimistic in the face of his health issues. RIP, Gary.
Sumner Sharpe says
Gary and I served together on the Helena Citizens Council. During his term as Chair, I had the opportunity to serve as Vice Chair, and we met frequently for lunch or breakfast to catch up on HCC matters and to swap stories. At those luncheon meetings, inevitably someone would walk over to our table to visit with Gary to discuss civic and political matters and updates. In spite of his medical problems, Gary’s personal, community and work commitments never were overlooked. His contributions to the Helena community and the State were exemplary and his smile and perseverance will be long remembered.
Greg Mullally says
Gary was my friend and a great debate partner when we attended MSU. The last time I saw Gary was by chance on a Delta flight to SLC. Wish I’d have known of his health issues so I could have seen him in Helena last summer. RIP.
Gary Branae says
Gary was a good college friend of mine at MSU. He was also an attendant at my wedding. I reconnected with him in Helena when I served in the Legislature. Gary was a good man and he lived his life well.
Shirley Baumann Rogers says
My goodness! Seems like such a short time ago that we were classmates in Joliet. Gary always had goals and I sincerely hoped he fulfilled most of them.
Linda Nelson says
I served with Gary in the House. He was knowledgeable, helpful, kind, and funny. My sympathy to his family.
Sue Johnson says
I was so sorry to learn that Gary passed away. For many years we worked as substitute teachers for the Helena School district and co-chaired the Substitute Teachers Association, a group Gary and I formed to make subbing more professional and to work on getting higher pay. I was amazed at how well Gary presented our requests, and I’m sure all the substitute teachers appreciated having a lawyer represent them. Whatever I know about negotiation and clarity in making a point, Gary taught me. He was kind, personable, witty and told great stories of his life as a lawyer, a legislator, and, of course, a classroom teacher. He was a friend, and I will miss him.
Dave Cogley says
Gary and I were close friends in law school and that friendship continued as we both moved to Helena and shared many good times together. Gary loved to cook special meals and we enjoyed many good conversations over good food and a glass of wine. He was an astute political analyst and totally dedicated to public service in many capacities, even in his last years of ill health. He will be dearly missed by many.
Joe Lamson says
Gary had a passion for public service. He genuinely enjoyed sitting down with people and solving problems at all levels of government.
I remember most fondly of being on the many campaign trails together over the past 40 years. You could always count on Gary. Montana’s a better place because of his good works. We’ll miss you dear friend.
Joe Lamson
Janice Gabrian Moore says
I had the pleasure to meet Gary in 4-H when we were kids! I was from Red Lodge and I had the honor to judge animals for statewide 4-H with Gary from Carbon County in Bozeman. We crossed paths through our lives and will always think he was a very kind and thoughtful person. I am so sorry to hear of his passing ! My Condolences to all of his family!
Jack Cooper says
Gary (Lt. Spaeth) and I served together in the army at Ft Lewis, WA in 1970 – 71. He was a great guy. One weekend he wanted to show me, and another member of our unit, his family’s “small ranch” (10,000 acres!) in Selesia. The three of us piled into his car and drove straight through, spent a few hours resting, a short horseback tour, and drove straight back to be at work Monday morning! Very sorry to hear of his passing.
Richard Gordon says
I knew Gary in the mid to late 1970s when we were both attorneys together at the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation in Helena. In fact, for a time, we were office mates there. I lost touch with Gary (and with most of those whom my late wife and I knew in Helena) following our move from Montana in 1979. However, I recently had reason to recall the time Gary so kindly took me to visit his family at the family ranch in Selesia, MT and enjoy a truly farm & ranch fresh meal there together. As a New Yorker, having only recently arrived in Montana at the time, it was such a warm and welcoming experience. That recent recollection prompted me to search for Gary online, only to discover this webpage and to learn of his passing. I remember Gary as exceedingly generous, kind and caring, with a great sense of duty, obligation and humor. A memory someone posted above refers to him as follows, “He was a character and he had character.” I cannot think of a more apt description of the Gary Spaeth whom I knew all those many years ago – and I can only imagine his smile were he to hear that description of himself.