Gordon Paul Schmaus, 80, passed away on March 25th in Butte. Gordon was born to Edward and Rosalie Schmaus on December 3, 1932, in Sisseton, SD. Gordon married Karen Schmitz on August 27, 1963. In 1972 the family moved to Montana and resided in Jefferson City. He graduated beauty school and was self-employed his entire life – as a beautician, managing restaurants, and finally as a logger, the work he loved the most. Gordon was an avid bird hunter and enjoyed fishing and collecting coins. He will be missed.
He is preceded by his beloved Mother and Father, as well as his siblings Earl, Edward, Richard, and Dorothy. Gordon is survived by his siblings: Robert, William, Marcia, Carol, Judy and Cathy, his children: Warren, Brian, Nancy, Mellanie, and Darren, 9 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.
There will be a family & friends gathering on Monday, April 1st at 6:00 p.m. at Retz Funeral Home in Helena (315 E. 6th Ave.). A Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, April 2nd at 10:00 a.m. at Saint Mary Catholic Community (1700 Missoula Ave). Immediately after is a graveside service at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery, Ft. Harrison. A reception will follow at the VFW Post 10010 (117 W. Main, East Helena). Memorials may be made to the Gordon Schmaus Memorial Fund at any Wells Fargo Bank. To offer a condolence to the family or share a memory of Gordon, please visit below.
Service Schedule
Mass of Christian Burial
10:00 a.m.
Tuesday April 2, 2013
Saint Mary Catholic Community
1700 Missoula Ave.
Helena , Montana 59601
Graveside Service
Approximately 11:30 a.m.
Tuesday April 2, 2013
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Ft. Harrison , Montana
Reception
Following the graveside service
Tuesday April 2, 2013
VFW Post 10010
117 W. Main
East Helena, Montana 59635
Service Schedule
Mass of Christian Burial
10:00 a.m.
Tuesday April 2, 2013
Saint Mary Catholic Community
1700 Missoula Ave.
Helena , Montana 59601
Graveside Service
Approximately 11:30 a.m.
Tuesday April 2, 2013
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Ft. Harrison , Montana
Reception
Following the graveside service
Tuesday April 2, 2013
VFW Post 10010
117 W. Main
East Helena, Montana 59635
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Marcia Schmaus says
I remember growing up in this large family. There were 11 children. I had six brothers and four sisters.
There are many fond memories. We all called him, “Buddy.” In later years, people called him Gordon, but we always called him, “Buddy,” and that’s who he was to us.
He loved to hunt and fish. He especially loved to hunt pheasants and geese. I saw him as a younger person—dressing to the hilt, with shined shoes and ironed shirts and at that time, he had a full head of dark brown wavy hair.
I saw him as the soldier, a service man going to Japan to clean up after World War II.
I saw him as father, a businessman and the owner of several Beauty Shops in Minnesota. They called him, Mr. Gordon.”
I saw his deep love for his Mother, and children, and his love for his extended family.
When I had surgery, he called me every day for several weeks to make sure I was doing okay.
I remember his Ford Hardtop Convertible. He loved cars especially T-Birds. He would drive us to Church on Sunday in the convertible, and we would have to hang on to our hats. (In those days, we wore hats).
He loved the outdoors and he was a devote Catholic. I miss him already and Montana will not be the same without him.
nena murphy says
I remember a grumpy old man who loved his two grandaughters wih all his heart. He was blunt, direct, and a huge flirt. Papa loved the ladies and sneaking sugary treats he knew us girls wouldn’t let him have. I remember him perming chars hair, only to have it fall flat a week later. He loved to sit outside hum songs completely off tune, church, and harrasing all the men in me and chars lives. I miss him everyday, and hope he knows how much grumbling I love u too meant to us.
Dennis & Darlene Abeyta says
We met Gordon back in 1972 out at Clancy/Alhambra as neighbors. Our girls played together. Dennis always saw Gordon every Sunday at the Cathedral. We went to visit him in Butte last summer and so glad we did. Gordon loved telling stories. Marcia, that was a beautiful tribute to Gordon. I am sorry for your loss. He is now happy in Heaven and in no pain.
Sandy says
I’m sorry for your loss of Mr. Schmaus. Please accept my condolences.
I know that when our enemy ‘death’ strikes, it can bring overwhelming sorrow and pain.
However, we can find comfort from Psalm 55:22 which promises God will sustain us if we throw our burdens on him.
We also have the resurrection to look forward to. We can see our dead loved ones again, including Mr. Schmaus, who will probably be hunting and fishing.
I hope these scriptural thoughts bring you some comfort.
Kathy Schmaus Rice says
Buddy loved to hunt and fish, but his favorite was goose hunting. He took me to Havre goose hunting and even when I scared the geese, He didn’t yell at me. We had such a good time. In all my growing up years, he made sure I toed the mark. We worked hard and had lots of fun, even when he caught all those fish and Mom and I cleaned them. Buddy I love you and miss all our phone calls.
Sonya Schmaus says
Yes people remember grumpy old Buddy. But i remember him being full of smiles when my dad who take us to Buddy’s bird farm. he had birds we had never seen before. He made sure to tell us momma goose was mean when she had baby so stay away. We would run around chasing them birds all day. Then we had goose or duck for dinner, yum yum.then drive home before dad fell asleep in the chair. Miss them all so much!
Ann Baker says
I knew Gordon from my banking days and always enjoyed visiting with him each week. He was definitely a big flirt. Gordon was a wonderful man and I never knew where I’d run into him but it was always a pleasure to visit with him.
Steve and Wanda Arlint says
Sorry for your loss. Please find comfort in knowing we care.