Longtime Anaconda resident George A. Calhoun passed away on April 1, 2021, at 8:33 in the morning.
George was born at Brainard, Minnesota, on December 13, 1933. One of 15 children of William and Loretta (Dryer) Calhoun, he was reared and educated in Minnesota. George came to the Anaconda area where he met and married Fran Streifel. The couple exchanged vows on June 6, 1953 at St. Peter’s Church in Anaconda.
George and Fran were blessed with five children whom they reared in Anaconda. Coming from such a large family himself, George understood the core values of both a strong family and hard work. He labored as a heavy equipment operator for the Anaconda Company until retirement in 1981.
Never one to be idle, he loved fishing, bowling, playing cards with family as well as time spent at Georgetown Lake. He enjoyed his daily walks where he would visit with acquaintances and new found friends. He spread that Montana hospitality to people he met in Arizona while traveling there as a “snowbird.”
George is survived by his wife of 67 years, Fran Calhoun of Anaconda. Also surviving are 5 children and 11 grandchildren including daughter, Joanne Wells of Chubbuck, ID, and grandchildren Eric and Amanda Wells, Heather and Drew Steinhauer and Kristen and Ty Cochran; son Richard Calhoun of Myrtle Creek, OR and grandchildren Richelle, Jonathan and Eric Calhoun; son Bill and Linda Calhoun of Anaconda and grandchildren Bob and Anne Calhoun and Scott and Loretta Tracy; son Mark and Bonnie Calhoun of Spokane Valley, WA and grandchildren Michael Calhoun and Katie Hailer and Grace Calhoun; and Marilyn and Steve Hendrickson of Bothell, WA and grandson Andrew Hendrickson.
George is also survived by 16 great grandchildren and 4 brothers and sisters.
Visitation will be held at 9:30 AM Saturday June 26, 2021, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Anaconda. Funeral Mass will following at 10:30 AM.
Please visit below to offer a condolence or share a memory of George.
Axelson Funeral and Cremation Services has been privileged to care for George and his family.
Lorene Wollfe says
Dear Fran and family, my deepest sympathy and love are with you at this time! I have fond memories of George and your family! May the Lord bless you with His comforting, uplifting Spirit! Love, Lorene Hoscheid Wolfe
beverly villa says
So sorry for your loss. George always greeted me with a smile and a warm hello. God is by his side. God bless. Beverly Villa.
Jo Ann Jones says
Dear Mark and Bonnie and family, I am so sorry to hear about the passing of your dad. Losing a parent is always hard. You are in my thoughts and prayers! Jo Ann (Vine) Jones
Toby Holmlund says
Fran and family, so sorry for your loss. George was one of the last crew on the smelter. I worked with him for years. He kept in touch with the old crew all these years and was the first one to call all of us when there was any change in any of our lives. I will miss his calls.