Obituary of George Bahm

Today we are here for George Bahm, where all of his family and friends have gathered together in remembrance of him. George passed away peacefully at home on December 21, at the age of 92. A place where he built his home, farm and family over the past 65 years. George was born in Luseland, Saskatchewan October 5, 1924 to Rose and Joseph Bahm. He was the oldest of six children of four brothers and one sister. They lived and farmed in Red Cross, Saskatchewan for twenty years before moving to Goodlow, B.C. in 1951. The stories that came from these years were some of the best George would love to tell. They caught the ear of anyone who wanted to listen. Some of the unbelievable, hard lessons learnt, or a history lesson but for the most part they were always told through so much laughter he could barely finish. From starting some of neighbor's crops on fire when trying to smoke gophers out from their holes when he was about 9 or 10, to what just happened the other day. When anyone stopped for visit it was never a short one. He held many different jobs working away from home alone or alongside his brothers on threshing crews or trapping for furs, to help bring money home, plus getting their own crops in and attending to cattle herds on open pastures. Yes, there was work but there was still time for fun. Coyotes were always chased down by horse and gun, that same horse was trained to do a few tricks, sing and playing guitar and going to some of the dances held around in the different communities and stirring up some trouble. Then there was that girl that lived not too far away, Viola Smith. George and Viola were married on August 16, 1951 and together with his family moved to Goodlow, B.C. where he and his father each got homesteads, bringing all their farm equipment by train and spending the first year in Fort St. John before moving out to Goodlow in 1952. A sawmill was set up and the breaking of land to start farming. It was also at this same time that George and Viola started their own family, Ronnie, Harvey and then in time Kathy and Cindy to complete their family. The one thing that always stood out for him was operating the mill. Not only with his Dad and brothers, but continuing on with his wife and two sons. They held five mill sites at different times in which they sawed a lot of lumber for railway ties, oil companies and locals around, including supplying the lumber for the Doe River rodeo grounds. Next thing he knew there were kids getting married and grandkids were coming. He enjoyed them, pestering, telling his stories, grabbing his guitar a playing a few of his favorite songs. He enjoyed going to the local baseball and hockey games when his boys were playing. He was always hollering at the refs or umpires from the bleachers. In 1982, they decided to retire the sawmill operations and returned to the farm full time. Cattle became what he wanted to settle down with. Driving tractor, making hay, and feeding cows was his main priority and job for as long as he was able. Ice fishing once again became an activity he greatly enjoyed. He never turn down a suggestion to go especially if the fishing calendar said it was good to go. On February 3, 2005 George lost his wife Viola of 54 years. Even though there was someone missing, he continued on with what they loved. One of those things was the garden. He quite enjoyed being out there and was sure to ask you if you noticed when you came to visit. Even passerby's that knew him always mentioned how his garden looked. It could have been the straight rows or his shirtless, suspendered, straw cowboy hatted gardening outfit that caught their attention. That's yet another story. George will be sadly missed by his children and their families including 11 grandkids and 7 great-grandchildren. His surviving brother Joe and his wife Sandy, along with all the extended families including that of his late wife Viola and of his predeceased brothers Morris, Jack, Pius, and sister Josephine. The family would like to take this time to thank you for your presence here today and for the many kindnesses shown. Service 1:00 pm Thursday, December 29, 2016 Bergeron Chapel 10200-17th Street DAWSON CREEK, British Columbia, Canada V1G 4C2 Interment Goodlow Cemetery Highway 103 GOODLOW, British Columbia, Canada V0C1S0