Jerry Robert Thumm, 71, passed away on Tuesday, May 17, 2005, at his home west of Kalispell.

He was born on July 29, 1933, in Poplar, to Jerry and Helen (Flammeau) Thumm. Jerry was raised in Great Falls but spent many years at the Catholic School in St. Ignatius, where he served as an altar boy. He came to the Flathead in 1955, fell in love with the valley, and decided to stay.

Jerry met and married Arlene on July 13, 1956, in Kalispell. Together they raised three children in Evergreen.

Jerry worked for McElroy and Wilken for 19 years and was a logger for 22 years. He was a musician in local bands for several years ans entertained many family and friends.

After retiring, Jerry and Arlene moved to Hot Springs. With their daughter, Lori and husband, Randy, they built and started Second Home Restaurant. They sold their share of the business to Lori and Randy after two years and moved back to Kalispell, where they built a home west of town.

Jerry enjoyed fishing, camping, bowling, singing and playing his guitar. Most of all he enjoyed spending time with his loving family including his many sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law and their families.

He was a longtime member of the Moose Lodge and the Eagles Lodge. He was also a Mason.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Marjorie Spoonmore, Genevieve Gettel, Bonnie Bowers, JoAnn Elletson and Betty Malcolmson; a brother, Mike Thumm; and three brothers-in-law, Floyd Fredericks, Jesse Lewellen and Paul Ward.

He is ssurvived by his wife of 48 years, Arlene of Kalispell; daughters, Lori Giese and husband, Randy, of Hot Springs, and Connie Langton of Kalispell; a son, Mike Thumm and wife, Kelly, of Kalispell; and the three "Lights of his Life" grandchildren, Nicole and Nate of Hot Springs and Cassidy of Kalispell. Jerry is also survived by a brother, Richard Thumm and wife, Rose, of Great Falls; and sisters-in-law, Barbara and Arnie Sundberg of Columbia Falls, Linda Ward, Connie Bergmann, Janice and Ralph Geldrich, Leslie Lewellen and Sharon Omholt, all of Kalispell; and a brother-in-law, Richard Bergmann and wife, Helen, of Echo Lake.

Memorial services for Jerry will be at noon on Saturday, May 21, at St. Matthew's Catholic Church with Father Vic Langhans as celebrant. A light luncheon will follow at the Moose Lodge in Evergreen. Arlene's mailing address is P.O. Box 7271, Kalispell, MT 59904.

Johnson Mortuary and Crematory is caring for Jerry's family.