Henry G. "Jerry" Neidhardt

Henry G. "Jerry" Neidhardt

Henry G. "Jerry" Neidhardt, 68, of Hamilton passed away Friday, August 14, 2009. He was at Holter Lake while on a fishing trip with his wonderful fishing partner, Dale Smith. He was born January 19, 1941 in Shelby, MT, the son of the late Henry C. Neidhardt and Joan and Omero Luchi.
Jerry was raised in Cut Bank, MT and graduated from Cut Bank High School in 1959. He was a member of the 1957 State Championship Basketball Team and finished 2nd in the 1958 State Tournament. On September 14, 1963 he married Donna J. Grose in East Helena. Jerry graduated from the former Montana State University in Missoula in 1965 with a degree in Wildlife Technology and a teaching degree. They moved to Hamilton where he taught science and math over a period of 27 years at Westview Junior High.
Jerry was a charter member of the Whittecar Rifle Range, a longtime Elks Club member, a member of St. Francis Parish, a lifetime NRA member, a member of the Ravalli County Fish and Wildlife Association for many years.
He lived for his family and loved his grandchildren who affectionately called him "Gramps." He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and his coffee club friends. He always had a few projects to keep him busy around the house, including tending his garden and making jams and jellies with the fruit from his trees and the wild berries that he enjoyed picking with his wife.
Jerry is survived by his wife of almost 46 years, Donna, son Kevin, his wife, Tanya, and grandson Kasch of Darby; daughter Janis Doyle, her husband, Robert, and grandchildren Emily and Brian of Parker, CO; and son Brent and his wife Sara of Peoria, AZ.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to the American Diabetes Association or St. Patrick Hospital Dialysis Unit.
Jerry was a true inspiration to many, many people, and he will be missed by countless friends and family members.