George F. Stebbins, 99

George F. Stebbins, 99, formerly of Kalispell, passed away Feb. 4, 2006, in Vancouver, Wash., just short of his 100th birthday.

George was born in Fairmont, N.D., Feb. 22, 1906, to Walter King and Augusta Stebbins, one of six children. The Stebbins family ranched at Rock Springs, north of Miles City.

George was an electrician; first working for Billings Neon and then for the Northern Pacific Railroad in Laurel. He retired from the railroad at age 65.

He married Janet Young in May 1938 in Billings. They had three children, Elaine Schlenker of Bozeman, Paul Stebbins of Vancouver, Wash., and Alexandra "Sandy" Herzog of Kalispell.

George enjoyed gardening, yard work, reading and tinkering on various small engines. His last few years were spent in an assisted living facility in Vancouver, near his son, Paul. While there he enjoyed watching TV, reading, visiting, lunches at Willie's Cafe and mocha Starbucks coffee.

George is survived by his three children, eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Cremation has taken place. A combined funeral service for George and his deceased wife, Janet, will be held sometime in the summer of 2006 in Bozeman. George and Janet who passed away June 2003, will be interred together in a family plot in Bozeman.