Walter Russell ‘Joe’ Stalnaker, passed away peacefully on Friday, August 8, 2014 at Touchmark on Saddle Drive after a battle with dementia and liver cancer. He was 80 years old.
Cremation has taken place and services will be held on Wednesday, August 13 at 11:00am at Anderson, Stevenson, Wilke Chapel with committal at Forestvale Cemetery.
Joe was born on April 19, 1934 to Walter A. and Clara E. (White) Stalnaker in Gardiner, Montana, the younger of two sons. Joe attended school in Gardiner until the family moved to Helena in 1948. He played basketball for the Bryant Mustangs and later attended Helena High School, graduating at the end of the first semester in 1952.
Joe enlisted in the US Air Force immediately after graduation, and was stationed in Amarillo, Texas where,as a Staff Sargent, he instructed enlisted men in aircraft maintenance. Joe often later remarked that he “could hardly wait to get back to Montana!” He was honorably discharged with a National Defense Service Medal and a Good Conduct Medal in March of 1956. Joe then spent four years in the Air Force Reserve.
In 1956, Joe started a 34-year career with the telephone company. He spent several years on the construction line crew, traveling around the state digging telephone pole holes by hand, climbing poles, stringing cable and making great friendships with his fellow linemen. Joe held various positions in the telephone company and was highly regarded by his co-workers and supervisors.
On September 12, 1959 Joe married Alice ‘Peggy’ Horne in Helena. They were blessed with four daughters – Karen, Linda, Nancy Jo, and Gail.
Joe and his in-laws, Bill and Smig Horne, embarked on a wilderness adventure into the Bob Marshall Wilderness on horseback and traversed the back country for two weeks. They all considered it to be a trip of a lifetime and shared many stories of wildlife and cliff-side rodeos,
In 1977 Joe and his family moved to Glendive, Montana when he was promoted to Engineering Manager. All their daughters graduated from high school in Glendive and Joe and Peggy spent many weekends following the two youngest daughters while they played basketball with the Red Devils. In 1983, Joe was promoted to District Engineering Manager and transferred to Great Falls. He retired in 1990.
In retirement, Joe often commented that “I’m so busy now, I don’t know how I ever had time to work!” He worked with a friend installing steel siding on houses, went snowmobiling, helped his daughters with various home improvement projects, drove combine during a wheat harvest, helped his daughters and families move from one city to another, and helped neighbors and friends with whatever needed to be done. For many winters, he was the neighborhood snow-plower and kept all the driveways and roads clear.
Joe was extremely handy. He could build or fix anything! He built his and Peggy’s dream home on 10 acres on Colorado Gulch. His attention to detail and perfectionism are evident in all his projects. Joe’s premier hobby was building radio-controlled model airplanes. He constructed them completely from scratch. After a few unsuccessful landings, he quit flying them, but continued to build. He was active in the Helena Flying Tigers Club for many years.
Joe is survived by Peggy, his wife of (almost) 55 years; his brother, Larry (Thea) Stalnaker of Mesa, AZ; daughters, Karen (Marc) Breigenzer of Glasgow, MT, Linda (Dave) Athas of Glendive, MT, Nancy Jo (George) Daniel of Blanchard, ID, Gail (Ron) Coon of Rock Springs, WY; grandchildren, Blake (Sara) Fohl, Keela (Wade) Brilz, Carson Fohl, Bobbi Jo Ostby, Hailee Jo Daniel, Misty Jordan, Tanner (Krista Welborn) Coon, Anna & Peter Breigenzer; great-grandchildren, Trae Fohl, Keaton, Kambryn & Ayden Brilz, Karter & Kyle Jordan, Lyndan Schumacher and Sawyer Coon.
He is also survived by an aunt, Dorothy Evans of Lincoln, MT, brother-in-law, Bill Horne, Jr of Deer Lodge, MT, special nephew Lance Stalnaker of Helena, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Joe was preceded in death by his parents, nephew Lane Stalnaker, brothers-in-law Bob Horne and Jerry Horne, sister-in-law Jeannie Horne, and grandson-in-law Kirk Jordan.
Joe’s family expresses deep gratitude and appreciation to the nurses and staff of Touchmark and Hospice of St. Peter’s for the exceptional love, respect and dignity shown to Joe in his final months.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial gifts to Hospice of St. Peter’s or a charity of your choice. Please visit below to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Joe.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
11:00 a.m.
Wednesday August 13, 2014
Andeson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Burial with Military Honors
Following the memorial service
Wednesday August 13, 2014
Forestvale Cemetery
490 Forestvale Road
Helena, Montana 59604
Reception
Following the burial
Wednesday August 13, 2014
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home social hall
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
11:00 a.m.
Wednesday August 13, 2014
Andeson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Burial with Military Honors
Following the memorial service
Wednesday August 13, 2014
Forestvale Cemetery
490 Forestvale Road
Helena, Montana 59604
Reception
Following the burial
Wednesday August 13, 2014
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home social hall
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
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Sheyenne Roesler says
Linda and Family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this difficult time. Know that your Dad is in a better place, pain and worry free now. May god wrap his arms around you all at this time. Sheyenne and Sean
Myrna Kintz says
Peggy, Joe’s daughters, and all who loved him,
I wish all of you peace and pray that memories of healthy good years help sustain you now .
You are all in my prayers,
Myrna
Mary and Dan Hoyrup says
I enjoyed working with Joe so much. We went to a number of remote radio sites. Our thoughts and prayers are with all your family. Sincerely, Dan Hoyrup
Gary & Cathy Kirkpatrick says
The entire family can be very proud of Joe’s legacy. I worked with Joe in the Glendive Engineering office and he was a pure telephone man thru and thru. We spent alot of hours in the field and with those hours you visit about everything from soup to nuts. And that is how you get to know a person very well. Joe and I went on a storm break in the Broadus area and spent two weeks together. The first day we got into wook ticks and rattle snakes. For two weeks I watched Joe scratch and itch about every five minutes thinking he had a wood tick crawling on him. We worked late as usual and no food services would be open when we came in so we ate a candy bar and went to bed. I love that guy and I will always remember Joe with a big smile. One other item. I went snowmobiling with Joe once. When we started, Joe took off going a 100 mph and left me in a cloud of snow. When we met up, he lifted his visor and said “isn’t this great.” He then dropped the throttle and left me in a cloud of snow. That is where Joe is now, in heaven in a big cloud of snow.
Ken & Penny Abrahamson says
Peggy and Family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family at this time of sorrow.
Carol Bridge says
Peggy and Family, God bless you all at this time. Joe was a wonderful person, a great co-worker and all around good man. Peace, Love and Healing to all of you. Carol Bridge
Bob & Kristie Stanhope says
Gosh I don’t know where to start. First, my heart goes out to all of you during this difficult time. I know Joe hasn’t been well for a long time and can’t imagine how hard that has been for all of you. When I think of Joe, I see his big smile and remember the crazy times my parents had with Peggy and Joe during high school basketball season. I am so glad I got to see him three years ago before things got so bad. He greeted me with that smile and a big hug. Keep your memories of the good times close. He is now pain free and no longer confused. Sending a big hug to all of you!!
Rob and Kim (Michael) Congdon says
Peggy and family- I am so sorry for your loss and pain. My thoughts are with all of you. The picture of Joe is exactly how I will always remember him, smiling!
Andrea 'Andy' Storjohann says
NJ, George, Hailee & family – So sorry for your loss – but thanks be to God for a life well lived! You are all in my thoughts and prayers. With love – Andy
Kevin & Sharla French says
Gail & Ron & Peggy & families-Our deepest sympathies for all of you at your time of sorrow. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Love, The French’s
Rick Hedges says
Karen and family: I am so sorry to hear about your Dad. I was truly blessed to have had the chance to work and learn from him but also to meet all of you. His impact of good work ethics and fun times is still with me and will be the rest of my life . God Bless you all. Rick & Family.
Marilyn Olson says
Linda, Karen, Nancy, Gail, Peggy and Families,
My prayers are with you during this time I have some good memories with you girls and the fun we had growing up in Helena. May God hold you all close and help you through the next days, weeks and months. God Bless you all. Marilyn and Mark
Marion Kraft says
Was so sorry to hear about Joe. Thoughts are with all of you!
Bonnie Isaak says
I worked with Joe in Helena when he was over Right of way. He was such a fun person and we always enjoyed his visits. He will be missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family
Robert Rossberg says
So sorry to learn of Joe’s passing. He worked with my dad Cliff for many years at the telephone company. Dad highly regarded him and considered him to be one of his best friends. Dad knew if Joe was on the assignment, he didn’t have to worry about it. I last saw Joe at my dad’s funeral in ’08. Sorry to hear of his passing. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers.