Harold George Knaub

Harold George Knaub passed away peacefully in his sleep at Mountain View Care Center in Bozeman, Montana on February 16, 2008. Harold was born on the family farm 3 miles north of Laurel, Montana on June 16, 1928. He was the youngest child of Phillip and Mary Katherine (Neibauer) Knaub. His parents were homesteaders that migrated from Kautz, Russia, also known as Volga Deutchlanders. He was baptized and confirmed in the First Congregational Church of Laurel.

Raised on the family dairy farm, he grew up with a hard work ethic, raising Holsteins, Herefords, and Red Angus. He also dry land farmed with his father and brothers, irrigated alfalfa and field corn. On the beet farm he would watch army jeeps on rail cars during WWII. He supervised German POWs and migrants in the field.

Throughout his young life a typical summer was spent harvesting sugar beets, feeding cattle and milking over 100 cows every day. He graduated from Laurel High School in 1947. He excelled in football and had an early passion for big game hunting. His favorite haunts were the Snowy Mountains, the Crazies, and the Gallatin Canyon. He was an old school, true Montana country boy to his core. He loved tracking big Mulie bucks on Clappers Flats. He hunted mountain goats in the Spanish Peaks, and bull elk in Gardner and Porupine Creek, trophy whitetails in the Little and Big Snowys, and Boone and Crocket antelope on the family ranch. He had great knowledge of old Sharps and Winchesters, LA Huffman photos, and Western Americana. Antiques were also a passion.

In Laurel he served as president of the Laurel Rod and Gun Club, Laurel Jaycees, and was an active member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church. As a member of the Laurel Saddle Club he participated in July 4th parades as a cavalryman riding Chief, his big black horse with his German Shepherd, Pepper.

In 1953 he married Charlotte Decker and they had 3 children; Scott, Jonathan (J.C.) and Laurie. The couple was divorced in 1972, after which Harold sold the family dairy farm and took a job at the very start of the Big Sky Resort as a heavy equipment operator. As a construction boss he participated in the building of the Lone Peak Triple Chair, major ski runs, and the resort infrastructure. One of his favorite tasks was transplanting huge pine trees around the Meadow Village. He lived in the historic Crail Ranch at the time. He was an active volunteer fireman on the Gallatin Canyon Volunteer Fire Department. His love for the Canyon and Lone Mountain kept him active for the next 30 years in the Big Sky area where he was regarded as one of the best "cat skinners" or heavy equipment operators in the area. He worked for Big Sky, Montana until 1983, then joined the Operating Engineers Union where he worked construction until joining his son working for Andesite Construction in 1989. He loved the "yellow iron" and continued to work until he retired at age 75.

He spent the winters with his son Scott and his family in Toston, Lodge Grass, and Sheridan, Wyoming. He also spent time with Bert Woods in Ashland, Montana. He loved watching the Dallas Cowboys play football. Harold loved his children and grandchildren with all of his soul. He was a kind, generous man, who would give you the shirt off his back. He was nicknamed Coach for his relationships with many of the young Big Sky residents that he be-friended.

Harold was the last surviving sibling of his family. He had two brothers Bill (Violet) Knaub and Phil (Sarah) Knaub and his three sisters Katie (Adam) Schreiner, Lydia (Philip) Frank and Rosie (Adam) Reiber. He is survived by his three children, Scott (Marcella) Knaub of Lodge Grass, J.C. (Marjorie) Knaub of Big Sky, and Laurie (Gary) Smith of Fort Mill, South Carolina . He has 8 grandchildren - Jamey (Misty) Knaub and their children Jaden and Kimber, Philip (Alisha) Knaub and their daughter Kailey, Kelly Knaub of Anchorage, Alaska, Wesley Knaub of Lodge Grass, Jeffrey and Kristi Knaub of Big Sky, and Caitlin and Rachael Smith of Fort Mill, South Carolina. He is also survived by nephews and nieces Jim (Arlene) Schreiner, Sally (Roy) Laird, and Darlene (Larry) Walks; Judy Frank (Steve) Schlieve, Leonard (Anita) Knaub, Linda Knaub, Clete (Sharon) Knaub, Douglas and Mary Reiber. He also has numerous grand nephews and nieces.

Harold, your legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of every single man, woman and child that you touched spiritually with your special insight and deep affection for Montana. You were the end of an era of strong, hardworking pioneers and immigrants that homesteaded the frontier. His colorful cowboy language lives on - "Savvy" "Understand" "Know what I mean" and "He's good people" were part of his daily repertoire of verbiage. He was always waiting for the "Big Job". One of his greatest pleasures in life was sitting at the top of the road to his cabin and seeing the sun flood the top of Lone Mountain early in the morning. He was keenly aware of his mortality as many of his close friends and family passed away. He always said, "When the Big Man upstairs turns the page of the Big Book of Life, and your name is on the page, it's your turn."

Harold, you had a great life and you did your best. You were so tired and worn out from 79 years of ranching and working in the field. You were so loved and in your own unique way, you loved us back so very much. Your name was on that page on February 16, 2008 and your time in this life is finished. You can go home now friend.

Thank you so much to all of the caring staff at Mountain View Care Center. Your true compassion and love meant so much to Harold and his family. You are amazing people and helped him to die with dignity.

Visitation will be Monday 4 - 9PM at the Remington Letcher Funeral Chapel, 420 19th Ave West (south of Golf Coarse Road). Funeral Services will be10:00AM Tuesday February 19 at First Congregational Churchs of Laurel with Internment at Laurel Cemetery.

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