George Hisdahl

George Lawrence Hisdahl, age 83 of Circle, Montana, died of respiratory failure on Monday, May 1, 2023 at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Billings, MT. He passed peacefully with family by his side. George was born on a neighboring farm on Cow Creek Road north of Circle, to Bernhardt “Ben” Hisdahl and Thea (Orpen) Bjoralt Hisdahl. He spent his entire life on the family farm or in Circle. He attended Cow Creek school and graduated from Circle High School in 1958. He grew up with his parents and older siblings from his mother’s first marriage. His father passed away when George was 8 years old, and as a teenager he took over the farm responsibilities with his mother. In 1961, George married Iris Alexander. Iris was from Wolf Point, but planning a trip with her parents to visit her brothers in Puyallup, WA. So, they decided to get married there, and honeymoon their way back home. As he always told the story, Iris got to Washington first and bought the marriage license, so then he figured he’d better go too. Together they raised four children, and recently celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary! George was a born farmer; it was in his heart and his blood - once he got in the tractor for the day you couldn’t drag him out. He passed that love to his son who likes to share how fun George was to work with over the years. He rarely got shook up at any major breakdown or setback, and would say, “well, let’s just fix one thing at a time.” It wouldn’t be long and they were back up and running. And there was always “next year”! He also loved toy tractors, and over the years amassed quite a collection. His impressive display of tractors and other farm machinery fills the lower level of their home, and according to Iris, he would occasionally “ask permission” to bring one upstairs. George spent countless hours setting up and rearranging displays, and checking auctions for the rare tractor he didn’t already have. Every summer, from the late 1960’s until 2022, he would find time before harvest to take the family on a camping trip in the Montana mountains, usually Crystal Lake. We have so many wonderful memories of camping, hiking, and sitting around the campfire telling stories and laughing until we cried! He was an avid pinochle player and rarely said no to a game. For 50+ years they took turns hosting New Years Eve card parties with a special group of friends. His other passion was sports - if there was a baseball, basketball or football game on tv you would find him in his lazy boy with the remote in his hand. In his last days at the hospital, he watched the NBA playoffs, and when there wasn’t a game on, he still asked to hold the remote. George had a wonderful sense of humor and was a notorious tease. He loved telling stories and making people laugh. His children learned at an early age that “mountain cows had shorter legs on one side so they didn’t tip over when walking around the hill” and that “oranges peeled themselves if you toss them in the air and catch them enough times”. Of course, that only works if the kids’ favorite tv show is on for distraction. He served as an election judge in McCone County for many years, and he volunteered with Circle’s 100 Club, where he served three terms as Vice-President. He was most proud of his part in planning the new Circle Fire Hall which opened in 2013. He was also a regular at his “coffee club” and shared many stories over the years as that group solved all the worlds’ problems. George is survived by his wife Iris, and four children, Brenda (Bob) Campbell of Circle, Linda (Bob) Drummond of Great Falls, Wanda (Rick) Robinette of Circle, and Scott Hisdahl, who is on the family farm on Cow Creek. His grandchildren are Pamela (Terry) Sharp of Glasgow, Randy (Jocelyn) Southern of Spearfish, SD, Rebecca (Scott) Westfahl of Kingfisher, OK, Michael (Emily) Southern of Billings, Natalie Drummond of Great Falls, Jennifer (Tyler Hostetler) Robinette of Glendive, Jeremy (Corinne) Robinette of Billings, Justin (Maia) Robinette of Circle, and Jorja Hisdahl of Circle. At the time of George’s passing, he had 33 great and great-great grandchildren! He is also survived by many nieces and nephews and their families, all of whom were special to him! He is preceded in death by his parents, and his siblings Harley Bjoralt, Gordon “Bud” Bjoralt, Orville Bjoralt, Joyce Robilliard, Doris Waller and Geraldine Bjoralt, and a granddaughter Elizabeth French. A memorial service and reception will be held on Tuesday, May 9, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at New Hope Lutheran Church in Circle, and interment will follow in the Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, on Highway 13 north of Circle. Silha Funeral Home of Glendive has been entrusted with the arrangements. Pallbearers are Randy Southern, Michael Southern, Jeremy Robinette, Justin Robinette, Howard Waller, and Chad Taylor. Honorary pallbearers are all of George’s neighbors and friends over the years. In George’s memory, donations are suggested to the Redwater Valley Ambulance, PO Box 567, Circle, MT 59215, or the McCone County Fire Department, PO Box 561, Circle, MT 59215. Remembrances and condolences can be shared with the family at: www.silhafuneralhomes.com.

George Hisdahl

February 27, 1940 - May 1, 2023

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George Hisdahl

February 27, 1940 - May 1, 2023

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

Plan Ahead

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information

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