George Matheu Budak, 85, passed away on Sunday, January 1, 2017 at Northeast Montana Health Services (Poplar Hospital) in Poplar, MT. He was born on September, 23, 1931 on the family homestead west of Poplar to Matheu and Laurentia Budak, who were immigrants from Romania.
George grew up on the family farm west of Poplar, MT. He graduated from Poplar High School in 1949. After high school he joined the Navy in 1955 and served for 2 years, stationed in Hawaii and Japan, followed by serving in the reserves for 4 years. After being honorably discharged he returned home to the family farm where he worked for 40 years, “retiring” in 2001 (but still liked to get in a tractor and work the dirt whenever the chance arose). He also held numerous odd jobs during the winter months to keep from going stir crazy. He was never one to be idle as long as he was able to work.
George married the love of his life, Roberta Unger in 1958 in Poplar, MT. They were happily married for 58 years. Together they adopted three children, Mark, David, and Ann Marie.
George was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Elks, and the Knights of Columbus. He was a dedicated member of the Poplar School Board, serving on the board for 24 years. He also enjoyed driving school bus for Poplar, Frontier, and Wolf Point, as well as driving the BIA fire crews.
George was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters Mary Jane Budak and Sylvia Taflan, brother in law John Popa, son Mark Budak, grandson Noah Landsrud and grand daughter Marquette Budak.
George is survived by his wife Roberta; his son David Budak of Poplar, daughter Ann (Ken) Landsrud of Wolf Point; his sister Lucy Popa of Columbia Falls, MT; his grandchildren Rhianne, Cory, Zach, Michael, Mercedes, Jessica, Kendra, Rebekah, and Seth; step-grandchildren Samantha, Kevin, and Jessie; great-grandchildren Adaliyah, Adrian, Audrina, Mary Jane, and Daniella; numerous nieces and nephews, including his nephew Jim who was one of his best friends, and his niece Joann who was the apple of his eye, numerous great nieces and nephews, and many friends.
Visitation will be held at 6 p.m. until 7 p.m., followed by Reciting of the Rosary, Friday, January 6 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Poplar. Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, January 7 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Poplar. Interment will follow at the Poplar City Cemetery. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point has been entrusted with the arrangements.
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or the Alzheimer’s Association.