William Gernaat

CONRAD - Conrad native William Clifton Gernaat, 68, of Great Falls, a retired C.M. Russell High School teacher, died of complications from pancreatic cancer Thursday, Nov. 10, at Peace Hospice.His memorial service is 11 a.m. Tuesday at Northwest Family Fellowship, with private graveside services in Conrad. Cremation has taken place under the direction of Schnider Funeral Home. Bill was born Jan. 12, 1943, to William and Jesse Elizabeth (Sutton) Gernaat in Conrad, where he was raised and educated. He married Kathleen Brownell in 1966, in Conrad; they later divorced. In 1980, he married Mary Jon Moeller.Bill received his bachelor's degree in education and industrial arts in 1967 and, in 1972, was very proud to earn his master's degree in vocational education. Both degrees were from Montana State University-Northern in Havre, which Bill affectionately referred to as The Harvard of the North. He taught at East Middle School from 1967 to 1972, and then at C.M. Russell High School from 1972 until retiring in 1992.Bill was an avid bowler and cribbage player, as well as a private pilot. He was active in the Great Falls Education Association, and was president of GFEA from 1976-1977. He joined Great Falls Elks Lodge 214 in 1972, and held many offices and was active on numerous committees. In 1991-1992, he was exalted ruler of the local lodge. He also was president of the Montana State Elks Association from 1997 until 1998. In 1972, Bill joined the Conrad Masonic Blue Lodge.Survivors include his wife, Mary Jon Moeller Gernaat of Great Falls; his father, William Gernaat of Great Falls; daughters Michele (Larry) Goyette of Conrad, and Laurice (Doug) Cady of Denver; a sister, Ruth (Cliff) Paulsen of Conrad; six grandchildren, three nieces and seven nephews, as well as other members of the Gernaat, Moeller and Brownell families.He was preceded in death by his mother, Jesse (Sutton) Gernaat; and his stepmother, Angie (Halvorson) Gernaat.Memorials are suggested to Peace Hospice, 1101 26th St. S., Great Falls, MT 59405; Elks National Foundation, 2750 N. Lakeview Ave., Chicago, IL 60614-2256; or Sletten Cancer Institute, 1117 29th St. S., Great Falls, MT 59405.