Gary Woltermann Obituary

Gary George Woltermann

June 28, 1940 - June 16, 2025

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Gary George Woltermann of Columbus, Montana, who was lifted by a tailwind just after midnight on June 16, 2025, at the age of 84.

Born on June 28, 1940, Gary grew up in Columbus with his siblings, Mary Lou, Ron, and Paula, surrounded by a gaggle of Woltermann and Matovich cousins. His parents, Git and Agnes, bought the Columbus Filling Station and Cabins on March 1, 1946. It was the first gas station in the area. He remembered standing on a bucket washing customers' windshields; self-service was nowhere to be found. At 13, his dad signed for him to get a driver's license so he could deliver gas to the farm accounts. The license was valid from 7 a.m. - 9 p.m. On March 1, 1994, Gary became the sole owner of the family business, Git's Conoco and Big Sky Motel. It has been operating 17 hours a day, 7 days a week for nearly 80 years.

It wasn't all work. He started piano lessons at age 6 and one of his first teachers was Miss Lulu Brothers. After she passed away, he placed a flower on her grave for years. When he couldn't get out there, he reminded his daughter where her grave was. Gary was class president all four years in high school; this gift of leadership foreshadowed 12 years of being mayor of Columbus after retirement from aviation.

He married Kay Aber on November 3, 1960 and their marriage lasted until 1980. They welcomed three children: Todd, Tracy, and Tari. They were all born and raised in Columbus, making beds at Git's and helping at the airport. It was in this small town where his love of aviation grew. These roots ran deep throughout his life. The seed was planted in June of 1955 when his dad bought half interest in a Piper J-3 Cub. Gary took his first flying lesson in the J-3 on July 12, knowing he couldn't solo until his 16th birthday the following year.

Around 1960, his dad and some other local pilots had the idea to pave the gravel runway at the airport in Columbus. After that was accomplished, they heard about an airport beacon that was free for the hauling and sent Gary to Helena in the 1950 GMC to pick it up. He came home with many parts and a five-gallon bucket full of nuts and bolts. (This sheds some light on Gary's ability to put together a huge pipe organ years later, installed in his hanger.) All the pieces were laid out on the lot across from Git's, carefully reassembled, and the 50-foot beacon was hauled to the airport when finished.

Flying became his love. He earned his private license at age 17, Commercial License at 18, and Flight Instructor at 21. At age 24, he was chosen to be a Designated Pilot Examiner by the FAA. Over 40 years, he gave thousands of flight tests to aspiring student pilots that cemented life-long friendships in the aviation community. He had over 31,000 hours of flight time and held an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) Certificate, rated in Multi-Engine Land Single Engine, Single Engine Sea, Flight Instructor and type rated in a Douglas DC-B26 (WWII Bomber) and Cessna Citation Jets. His baby was a red and white Beechcraft Bonanza that he bought in 1964 and owned for nearly 60 years.

Gary flew many high profile people, but one that stood out for him was Walter Cronkite. He told him he didn't believe that President Kennedy was assassinated until he heard it from him. Mr. Cronkite replied that although he had been told that many times, it was "an honor to hear it again" (in Gary's best Walter Cronkite voice).

The Wright Brothers "Master Pilot" Award was presented to Gary on October 28, 2015, "In recognition of your contributions to building and maintaining the safest aviation system in the world, through practicing and promoting safe aircraft flight operations for 50 consecutive years." He was an invited member of Ye Anciente and Secret Order of Quiet Birdmen and is a Certified Goodfellow - QB No. 22,998.

If you drove through town during Gary's heyday, he was likely busy fixing a washing machine, roofing the motel, mowing at his hanger, or doing something to better the town that he was so proud to call home. Gary was always ready to share a story infused with his quick wit followed by his unique signature laugh. He would always say that when a person dies a library is lost. Gary, indeed, took a wealth of information.

Gary is survived by his daughters, Tracy (Dave) Sandry, Tari (Randy) Broderick, his grandson Richmond (Liz) Paschall, and two great-granddaughters, Magnolia and Violet; sisters Paula Ekle and Mary Lou Hoover, sister-in-law Cathie Woltermann, along with nieces and nephews and cousins. We would like to thank his loyal friend, confidante, and Git's manager, Tracy Gernant, for being by his side for over 30 years; and the caring staff at Meadowlark for the last three months.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Ron, son Todd, brother-in-law Jim Hoover, brother-in-law Larry Ekle, and partner Don Udd.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, June 27 at the Woltermann Memorial Airport at 2 p.m.