Joan (Manning) George, 88, died peacefully on April 8, 2025 at Spring Creek Inn Memory Care Community in Bozeman, Montana. Born to Joe and Hazel Seymour Manning in Hettinger, North Dakota during a January blizzard, Joan lived a life of honoring family and friends and supporting others through service. She grew up with her younger siblings: Janet, Jacky, Judy, Karin, Leah, Loah, Gail, and Dean.
After high school, she studied to become a medical lab technician in Minnesota, then worked at the hospital in Libby, Montana. She met Howard George in Libby, married him in Hettinger, ND in 1959, and opened George’s Pharmacy in Worden, Montana.
She and Howard raised three children: Steve (Brenda) of Cheyenne, Wyoming; Sharon George (Kevin Ryan) of Reynoldsburg, OH; and Sandra (Mark) Klawitter of Livingston, Montana. Joan worked in the pharmacy alongside Howard for 31 years. In 1991, when Howard suffered a debilitating stroke, she became a model caregiver and advocate. A variety of interests kept Joan busy. She joined an investment club, participated in Worden clean-up nights, volunteered at Pompey’s Pillar National Monument and Worden’s Sunnyside Library, tended to her peonies, supported various Huntley Project High School sporting and music events, enjoyed the company of many friends at coffee, read voraciously, tried new “experimental” recipes, and enjoyed music ranging from Roy Orbison to Jon Baptiste.
Joan’s memory will live on in the hearts of her family and friends and others who were touched by her kindness. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, three sisters, four brothers-in-law, one nephew, and one niece. Joan is survived by her children and their spouses, four granddaughters (Aspen and Eric, Sarah and Avery, Bailey and Berto, and Lexi), great-granddaughter Robyn, Sharon’s stepchildren and grandchildren, and 29 favorite nieces and nephews. Her family will continue her legacy of reading, following current events, cheering on favorite teams and performers, and showing pride in all things Montana and North Dakota.
Memorial donations may be given to the Sunnyside Library, P.O. Box 145, Worden, MT 59088. Private family services will be at a later date.
