George Luther, Sr. was born on April 4, 1933 to John and Anna (Ertel) Luther of the Sarpy Creek area east of Hardin, Montana. He passed away on April 29, 2025 in Billings, Montana shortly after celebrating his 92nd birthday.
George and his older brother Tommy began ranching when he was 14 years old in the Sarpy and Tullock Creek area east of Hardin on the Weaver place in 1947. From that moment forward he forged his life as a rancher with a love of watching, raising, tending, and growing of cattle and crops with the occasional lama, bison, hogs, and other critters added to the mix. He was constantly looking for the best ways to improve working and grazing the land including developing hay land and irrigation systems to benefit production, developing water sources, and getting the most production out of the ranch. Sometimes even the neighbors were wondering what he was doing. As ever, he continued actively working on the ranch until a week ago.
On August 9, 1958, George married Nancy Stoddard in Hardin, MT. Together they ranched on Sarpy Creek (Hardin area) before moving to Sweeney Creek (Rosebud area). Later, when he and Nancy retired and moved to Miles City the first time the ranch operation was turned over and sold to his son Cory, George kept on as the number one hired hand on the Sweeney Creek Ranch and later on as a voluntary consultant/ranch hand on the Rosebud Creek Ranch. Giving advice and consulting to his family and friends was his most important retirement job that kept him active.
As one longtime friend said, he had an unique sense of humor that was entirely his. Dad had a passion for keeping people under the speed limit or at least trying to. If he was riding with you, he reminded you in his own way. His favorite line in the last few years, when he was asked how he was feeling was “with my fingers”. He always wondered why any of the family would buy and wear pants with holes in them already. One time when he got sick with the flu, he learned a new cure-Cheetos and bread-that would settle his stomach, thanks to one of his grandsons. He was faithful in going to church and would state “I really can’t hear what they’re saying rarely missing mass. He was not above having a good discussion or argument on some current happenings with anyone that would engage in it.
His passion was his family, church and working the land. He enjoyed watching his grandchildren and great grandchildren in all their activities and living life. He was always talking about their life with them and keeping track of their various activities. He cherished phone calls and visits with them along with many of his friends and family. George imparted as much wisdom as he could with all the family, especially with his grandchildren. This family passion extended to him keeping track of extended family members across the country and Germany, especially nieces and nephews. He kept his German heritage strong by visiting family in Germany and enjoyed when family from Germany would visit the ranch. He was a person that could tell you what the driest years were, the wettest years, along with good memories of working on the various ranches he had owned for the past 75 plus years.
He was a gentle person at heart with a smile unique to him, who was also very forthright in letting folks know his opinion and where he stood. He enjoyed attending events visiting with people, asking how their families were doing and happenings. He loved cattle and bull sales for keeping up on the local news and prices, letting us know of the prices and quality at each sale. He believed in serving the community, especially on land planning boards and with the Council on Aging. George enjoyed participating in the Cancer survivor’s dinner and attending the Wake Up and Lace Up events along with Sacred Heart School events.
George was preceded in death by his parents, sisters, Ann and Mary, brothers baby John Jr 1st, John Jr., Tommy (Joseph) and his wife Nancy.
Survivors include his children George, Jr. (Katrina), Darell (Tammy), Terese, and Cory along with grandchildren Trevor (Kali) Luther, Travis (Morgan) Luther, Teal Luther, Callie (Devin) Crook, Charlie (Celeste) Pitkin, Katie Dowling Pitkin, Emily Delgado, and Anna Yepez-Luther, and great grandchildren Kory, Evee, Havanna, Cora, and Cynthia and sister in laws, Sharon Larson of Louisianna and Delores Luther of Billings, and special cousin Jack Frantal of Great Falls, life long army buddy/friend Herb Young of Missouri, Jodee Kuden of Alaska and numerous nephews and nieces.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, May 4, 2025 at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home with family receiving friends from 4:00-6:00 p.m. followed by a Rosary & Vigil Service at 6:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, May 5, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Miles City. Rite of Committal will follow in the Eastern Montana State Veteran’s Cemetery in Miles City with full military honors. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Donations, in lieu of flowers, can be made to the Sacred Heart Parish School student tuition fund which can be sent to Sacred Heart School, 519 N. Center, Miles City, MT 59301.
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Sunday May 4, 2025
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Rosary & Vigil
6:00 p.m.
Sunday May 4, 2025
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Mass of Christian Burial
10:00 a.m.
Monday May 5, 2025
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
120 N. Montana Ave.
Miles City, Montana 59301
Graveside Service with Full Military Honors
Monday May 5, 2025
Eastern Montana State Veteran's Cemetery
Miles City, Montana 59301
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Sunday May 4, 2025
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Rosary & Vigil
6:00 p.m.
Sunday May 4, 2025
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Mass of Christian Burial
10:00 a.m.
Monday May 5, 2025
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
120 N. Montana Ave.
Miles City, Montana 59301
Graveside Service with Full Military Honors
Monday May 5, 2025
Eastern Montana State Veteran's Cemetery
Miles City, Montana 59301
Share
Garth Sleight says
George Senior lived a long and productive life. Nevertheless, it’s still hard to bid farewell to people we love. My sincere condolences to the Luther family.
Diane Welbes says
Sorry to hear this–I will miss his smile–whenever I would see him he would break into a smile. RIP George.
Jerry and Sue Backlund says
So sorry to hear about your dad, He was a very hard working, nice man. our condolences to all of his family.
Mary Ann Murray says
My sincere condolences to the Luther family.
Colette Butcher says
So sorry to hear of your family’s loss. I always enjoyed visiting with him. He certainly was a nice man. May he rest in peace.
Patricia Ward says
George was a great person. I enjoyed his visits
Sending his family sincere condolences
BERNADETTE MILLER says
I always enjoyed George’s company and visits. Verlin and I especially had fun with him at the Rosebud FFA dinners, often him and his sons would get into a bidding war during the pie auction! I will miss his smile and caring nature. He was definitely one of the good guys!
Colette Butcher says
So sorry to hear of your loss. I’ve always enjoyed visiting with your Dad. He was such a nice man. May he rest in peace.
Lynn and Judy Strobel says
So sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing. Losing a parent is hard but may you be comforted by God’s love and knowing you have friends praying for you.
Mike and Linda Wyse says
Luther Family, so sorry to hear about your Father’s passing, You are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Remember all the great memories you had made
Beth Ann Wiedeman says
Luther family, praying for u. Saying goodbye to the earthly person is sad, but remembering the loved one lives a new life in Heaven helps with the goodbye.
Pinky and Ella Mae says
So sorry
Tom and lillian Ostendorf says
We will miss George’s wit at gatherings. His family have our sincere condolences.
Hugs.
Jan Pratt says
I am so glad that we got to visit with you all recently. I enjoyed working with George on the Council on Aging. Gone but not forgotten.
Martha Crandall says
My sympathy
Joby Parker says
To all of George’s family,
We will so miss seeing George! He always had that sweet smile with such a wonderful positive attitude. What a great sense of humor!
Rest in peace George! You will be greatly missed.
Bill and Joby Parker
Kyle & Gail Shaw says
So sorry to see of your Dad’s passing. Always so friendly. When he came to Miles City Livestock he always had time to come in the office and share some conversation. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Jack and Kris Crocker says
What a great guy to visit with my prayers go out to the family
Martin and Roban Bunting says
Soo,shocking He was a fighter. Our prayers are with the Luther family looseing a Father and Grandfather is so hard! He was loved and respected by everyone that met him.That says a lot! His memory will live on! He is a definite part of the history of Rosebud county! God bless the Luther family with peace knowing he is now watching over them from above.
Scott vandersloot says
George you will truly missed I really enjoyed our ventures on around the area. Your positive insights and the way you always keep in touch, was truly amazing . Thank you for being such a wonderful godfather. Truly one of a kind
Eugene&Connie Bankey says
Our prayers and condolences to all of George’s Family.
Pam Rogge says
Prayers and condolences to the entire Luther family. I will so miss his visits to the office. A very special man, RIP 🙏
Louise de Montigny says
Kind regards to the Luther families as you celebrate this life.
Cindy and Dale Berg says
George, Katrina and family,
So very sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. We are keeping you in our prayers now and in the difficult days ahead. Hold your memories close. God Bless you all.
Larry Ridle says
When a Hardin high schooler, I worked two summers for George and Tommy at their Sarpy ranch. They were the two hardest working gentlemen I’ve ever worked for and with as they worked right beside you——always! George was a good man with a wonderful sense of humor. Rest in peace, George.
Julie and Theo Mink says
From the very first time I met George, his humor and candor impressed me. His quick wit and intelligent remarks always made me smile and laugh. He was a truly remarkable person and one we’re all better off for knowing. My thoughts are with the Luther family whom George deeply cherished. Know that your Dad/Grandpa/Friend lives on in each of us and we are each blessed because we know him and because we know you.
Connie Thierolf says
It’s with a heavy heart that I send my prayers and support to George’s family. I will miss his feisty nature, his forthright views of the community, locally as well as world-wide. I will miss his quick smile, sense of humor, and the pleasure of swapping stories. RIP George. Much love to the family!
Darbie Karch says
Keeping your family in my thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. George was a kind soul who was liked by all. He will be sorely missed.
MARY OTTOY says
My condolences to the Luther Family. You’re in my thoughts and prayers.
Victoria Bolinger says
George and Nancy were always there to help as I was growing up. Nancy saved my life when I had pneumonia and I will be forever grateful. I was lucky enough to visit with George at my Mother’s house before she and he both passed away in April. Both George and Nancy were very special, generous people who I will always remember.
Victoria Bolinger