Jerry Lee Lachenmaier, 72, of Columbia Falls, passed away on Dec. 7, 2020, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center due to COVID-19 complications.

Jerry was born on April 21, 1948, in Hardin, Montana, to Ervin and Lydia Lachenmaier. He was the second oldest of three. He attended Dawson County High School and Dawson Community College. He then went on to attend Montana State University. He was 37 credits short of receiving a double major in agricultural business and agricultural economics. He was in the National Guard for six years. Jerry married Peggy Miller on Nov. 15, 1969. From that union came seven children. Jerry worked numerous jobs from Gate City Dairy, T-Bone Feeder, Safeway, Archway Cookies and retired from Franz Bread in 2013 due to health reasons.

He enjoyed traveling with his wife to see family, his kids, grandkids, and very much enjoyed going to his grandkids sporting events. You could never get away from his jokes, him singing songs and large words that only he could pronounce and say. His all-time favorite pastime was to sit and write poems and poetry. You could find his work in birthday cards, anniversary cards, at funerals and weddings. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents Ervin and Lydia Lachenmaier, sister Linda, infant daughter Tammy Lachenmaier, father-in-law Walter Miller, mother-in-law Betty Miller, sister-in-law Barb Miller, brothers in-law Alan James and Robert Miller, and nephew Justin Miller.

Jerry is survived by his wife Peggy Lachenmaier, his children and grandchildren Cynthia Lachenmaier of Spokane Valley, Washington, Tracey and Scott Reynolds - Makayla, Jared Reynolds

(Taylar Putnam), Madison of Columbia Falls, Christie and Chris Victor-Dominick, Peyton of Spokane Valley, Travis and Julie Lachenmaier - Tyler, Tony, Orion, Stella of Spokane Valley,

Misty and David Schleve - Baiylee, Isabella of Spokane Valley, Tessa and Brynn of Columbia Falls; his brother Allen (Carol) Lachenmaier of Terry, Montana, brother-in-law Edward (Betty Lou) Miller of Glendive, Randy (Jerilyn) Miller of Rock Springs, Wyoming, Jay Miller of

Glendive, sister-in-law Sandy James of Forsyth, Montana, Nancy Miller of Spokane, and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

A celebration of his life will be held at a later date.

Jerry Lachenmaier is loved and will be greatly missed by all! As a family, we would like to give a special thank you to all of the staff at Kalispell Regional Medical for everything that they did to help save our husband and father.

Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls is caring for the family.