Paul Messer

Paul Messer our wonderful, husband, father, grandfather, uncle and best friend passed away Nov. 22, 2012. Paul was born in Bridger, Mont., on Aug. 22, 1923, three months after his parents Phillip and Elizabeth (Zentner) Messer along with his two brothers and three sisters moved by covered wagon from their homestead twenty miles north of Vananda, Mont. Paul entered the army in 1944. He was in the medical field and was an M.P. Corporal with the 239 General Hospital, Army of the United States, St. Quentin, France. After his honorable discharge he returned to Bridger and went back to work for Fehner Saw Mills, where he worked before the war while attending high school. In 1947, Paul married Igerna Siemsen at St. Patrick's rectory in Billings. To this union three children were born, Richard "Dick,” Karen, and Stanley Messer.

Paul attended Billings Business College for two years. Paul continued his lumber career starting at $0.87 per hour for Northern Lumber. After changing hands five times Paul and two of his friends bought the Company naming it Creative Material Supply, a wholesale specialties lumber company. Paul traveled as their salesman for forty-six years traveling throughout Montana, North Dakota, and Wyoming. He was rewarded with the Silver Log and Salesman of the year. Paul was a very generous and considerate man always putting his family and others first. He will be deeply missed by all. A self taught handyman he could do it all, carpentry, plumbing and electrical.

Paul is survived by Igerna, his wife of 65 years; daughter Karen (Tim Hudson); son Stanley all of Billings; daughter-in-law LaVaun Messer of Corvallis, Ore.; grandsons Jacob Messer of Corvallis, Trevor Messer of Billings, Pat (Sabrina) McDonnell, Vincent (Teresa) McDonnell; granddaughter Heather McDonnell all of the Seattle area; great-grandchildren Ellie, Cody and Tanner Messer, Riviera Utley, Wyatt McDonnell; sister Lucille Daugherty (Ray Rumfelt).

He was preceded in death by his son Dick; son-in-law John McDonnell; mother and father; brothers, Matt, Edwin, Jacob, Ervin Messer; sisters Margaret Horning, Catherine Wirtz, Barbara Dietz.

Many happy and fun days were spent at our cabin on the bank of Rock Creek seven miles south of Red Lodge. Friends and relatives were always welcome to come and stay. Card games, fishing and good bonding and visiting were always on the list. We had such fun there. No phones or TV's; they didn't exist at that time.

Paul’s travels included Hawaii, Venezuela, La Paz, and many Mexican destinations and motor home trips around the states.

On Sept. 23rd and 24th Paul and son, Stan, had just had the pleasure of going back to Washington, D.C. on the World War Two Veterans "Big Sky Honor Flight."

Paul was a charter member of St Pius X Church.

Visitation will be noon to 5 p.m. Monday at Dahl Chapel. Funeral Mass will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 27, at St. Pius X Catholic Church. Arrangements are in the care of Dahl Funeral Chapel and memories may be shared with the family at www.dahlfuneralchapel.com

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