Geraldine Day Walter
February 2, 1938 - March 27, 2025
Geraldine Walter, the lady behind the Granite Mountain Memorial, passed away at home with her husband of 67 years, Fred, son Scott, and daughter Valerie by her side. Oh, what an incredible 87 years of life Gerry had.
Born and raised in Helena, a 1956 Helena High School graduate, Gerry met Fred at Montana State University. After getting married in 1958, Fred (an Air Force officer) and Gerry began their life in England where their son, Scott, was born. After 21 years of military moves and the birth of their two daughters Shelly (Moen passed 2017) and Valerie (Trefts), Gerry and Fred moved to Butte in 1979.
Gerry created a wonderful, supportive home for Fred and her children as a stay-at-home mom, decorating for every holiday, no matter how small. Her "professional" part of life started in her late 40s. Thankfully she ignored a Montana Tech professor who told her she was "too old" to be taking classes and entering the workforce. She showed him.
In 1991, as a VISTA Volunteer, Gerry embarked on a 32-year journey of researching, envisioning, then developing the Granite Mountain Memorial. Involved in every aspect of this large project, she personally oversaw the selling and placement of more than 10,000 memorial bricks. Her passion and research for Butte's mining and smelting past also led to the historical display at the Anselmo Mine Yard and Butte's nomination as a Labor History Landmark District. At 85 she retired from her "volunteer" position.
Gerry was a Weight Watchers leader and district manager for many years. She was a Butte Chamber of Commerce board member for 8 years and The World Mining Museum director from 1997-2000. Gerry was thrilled when she was selected to be the 4th of July Parade Grand Marshal in 2001, she loved that.
An avid reader (A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Little Women), Gerry was a member of the Homer Book Club and the PEO Sisterhood Chapter G. From Ohio, Wyoming, New Mexico, Utah, Florida, and Alaska to Europe, China, S. Korea and a lot of places in-between, Gerry (and Fred) traveled around. However, Gerry was a hard "no" to going hunting with Fred and attributes that as a key to their long, beautiful marriage.
Gerry was a grandma to three really smart girls Sarah (Floyd), Carley, and Tatum (Trefts), and a great grandma to Wesley (2 yrs) and Anya (3 weeks) Floyd.
Gerry was a sharp-dressed gal, a great dancer (with Fred), and a big supporter of the Mother Lode Theater and the Butte Symphony. Not a fan of soup or pasties, she did love spaghetti shrimp cocktail, popcorn, chocolate, and caramels. Auntie Mame, Mary Poppins, On Golden Pond, and The Lion King (Broadway) were definitely some of her favorites.
Gerry is survived by her husband Fred, son Scott (Robin--Colstrip), daughter Valerie (Tim, Carley, Tatum Trefts--Butte) Granddaughter Sarah (Zach, Wesley, Anya Floyd--Butte), brother George (Loretta Day--Helena), sister Charlotte LeVasseur (Helena) and nephews Tom (Shanna Day--Bozeman) and Mark (Nikki Day--Billings).
Gerry loved life and was kind. She left Butte a better place. Goooo Bobcats!!
An informal farewell for Gerry will be held at the Granite Mountain Memorial on Saturday (April 5) at 2 p.m. A reception will follow at the St. John's Episcopal Parish Hall.
