John "Jack" Spurzem

John W. Jack Spurzem, 88, of Great Falls, a World War II Army veteran and retired Postal Service employee, died of natural causes Sunday, October 2, 2011, at a local care facility.At his request, there will be no services, however, a gathering of friends and family will be held at the Ulm School on Saturday, October 8, 2011, at 1 p.m. Private inurnment will take place in the Veterans Cemetery at Fort Harrison. Schnider Funeral Home is handling arrangements.John, or Jack, as most people knew him, was the last surviving sibling of the Joseph P. and Margaret (Sullivan) Spurzem family. At the time of his death he was surrounded by his family. He was born on July 5, 1923, in the family home on 5th Avenue in Helena. He was the seventh of eight children. His grandparents, Wilhelmina (Lutz) and Peter Spurzem were one of Helena's pioneer families, moving to the Helena area in the 1870'sJack attended St. Helena Grade School next to the Cathedral on North Ewing Street through the sixth grade, Central School through eighth grade, and Helena High School on Rodney Street. Jack began dating his future wife, Roberta Bobbie Walters, whom he affectionately called Gert, on March 7, 1941. He was drafted into the Army in May 1943, during World War II, but before he left, they were married on May 16, 1943.After serving in the war he returned to Helena. Jack went to work at Fort Harrison as a fireman for two years before beginning a career with the U.S. Postal Service. With his 31 years of combined military service and U.S. Postal Service, he was able to take advantage of an early-out with the U.S.P.S. and retire at the age of 49 in 1972.In the 1950s, he and his wife, Bobbie, built a cabin at the bottom of Flesher Pass that has been used ever since for family outings and hunting expeditions. Coming back to that cabin after a hunting outing and listening to his stories while drinking a warm cup of coffee and chowing down would always warm everyone's heart. After his retirement, they wanted to build their dream home in that area. A land trade with his brother, Thomas Spurzem, got them their start. Jack did most of the work on building the house himself, along with help from his wife, his son in Ulm, John R. and his wife, and a hand full of others. Being a handyman came in very useful in this endeavor and produced a home anyone would be proud of.Jack's pride and joy was his garage. He would spend hours there working on someone's car, lawnmower, or anything else mechanical. He collected every nut and bolt, clamp and tie-down, or anything else he thought would be useful. Over the years, quite a few motorists stranded on the highway over Flesher Pass would drop by the house and Jack always seemed to have what they needed to fix the problem. He and Bobbie lived their dream in their little bit of heaven for more than 30 years until December 2008, when they moved to Great Falls to be closer to their family and the services one needs in the later part of life.Jack thoroughly enjoyed watching his grandchildren and great-grandchildren participate in various sporting activities. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing throughout his life and then teaching his grandson, Jim, how to hunt, fish and work on anything with a motor.Jack will be remembered for his sense of humor, his handyman capabilities, his Montanan way of helping thy neighbor, his ability to tell a story, and his love of polka music.Jack will be greatly missed by his loving wife of 68 years, Roberta V. Bobbie (Walters) Spurzem; his sons John R. (Marie) Spurzem of Ulm and Michael J. Spurzem of Seattle, WA; his granddaughter Joey (Jerry) Wagner of Great Falls, with great-granddaughter Alicia; his grandson Jim (Heather) Spurzem of Ulm, with great-grandson Lane and great-granddaughter Savannah; and numerous nieces and nephews.He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Margaret (Sullivan) Spurzem; his brothers, Frank, Joseph Jr., William, Thomas and Richard; and his sisters, Virgie Lenore and Margaret Babe (Williams).In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family requests donations be made to Peace Hospice, 1101 26th St. S., Great Falls, MT 59405.