Harry's Obituary
Harry Clark Strong, aged 90, of Great Falls, Montana passed away on December 14, 2023. He was born on October 1,1933, in Lewistown, Montana to Hal and Frieda Strong.
Harry graduated from Moore High School in 1951 where he met his wife of 66 years, Jean Eileen Hertel. The two married on March 1,1953, in Moore, and moved across the state often while Harry worked for the State of Montana Highway Department. They settled in Great Falls in 1965. Harry worked for the State for 35 years, retiring in 1985. He continued his professional career, however, running Strong Professional Land Surveyor, and eventually for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) until he was nearly 80 years old, always being known simply as “The Boss.” They spent their winters in Apache Junction, AZ enjoying the winter in the warm sun. They raised their two daughters, Carol and Patricia, and they were blessed with 5 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren, all of whom were the world to him.
Harry was an active member of the Masonic Temple in Great Falls where he made many life-long friends. He loved trap shooting, traveling all over the state and into Canada to compete. He took his grandchildren with him to collect spent shells and unbroken clay pigeons. Harry spent his time in Arizona shooting trap, throwing horseshoes, reloading shotgun shells, and collecting various rocks to make handmade clocks. He also enjoyed spending time with his family at Fairmont Hot Springs and Big Sky Ski Resort, always inviting as many people as possible and always making sure no one was hungry or thirsty, and wanting them all to enjoy their time together. He never lost his sense of humor, and always had a witty remark for everyone. He vastly enjoyed providing for his family, whether it was scouring the newspaper ads for the best price on butter or making sure everyone had a full tank of gas for their journey home.
Harry was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Jean; and daughter, Pat Carter of Missoula.
Harry cared for his family more than anything, and he was very proud of all their accomplishments. He is survived by his sisters, Karen Dahill, Hazel Greenwood, Jane Harper, and Sharon Miller; brother, Jim (Martha) Reeves; sister-in-law, Dixie Hertel; cousin, John Strong; daughter, Carol (Mike) Hollern of Great Falls; grandchildren, Sarah Guza of Bozeman and Mahamantra (Subal) Das of Raleigh, North Carolina; and her two sons and daughter, Nathan (Abbey) Guza of Missoula and their two daughters and son, Casey (Taylor) Shoop of Vacaville, California, and their two daughters, and Jordan (Trista) Hollern of Great Falls and their two daughters and two sons.
A celebration of life will occur in the spring of 2024 in Moore. Memorials can be sent to Peace Hospice of Great Falls.
