Harold 'Bud' Uecker, 93

Harold N. (Bud) Uecker died of natural causes on March 31, 2024 at Benefis Hospital.

Bud was born to Harold W. Uecker and Josie (Parfit) Uecker on June 30,1930 in Jamestown, North Dakota. He was the first cesarean birth that both baby and mother survived in that hospital. The family moved to Montana in 1935. They lived in several communities on the highline until 1940, when they moved to Great Falls.

Bud attended multiple schools in Great Falls until graduating from Great Falls High School in 1948. He enlisted in the US Navy in January 1951 and served until December of 1954. While in the Navy, Bud was stationed in Japan, Alaska, and Korea.
Bud married Geraldine (Gerry) Ehlman on January 22, 1956 in Great Falls. This incredible marriage was the result of a blind date! Something he made sure everyone knew!
During high school and until he entered the Navy, Bud delivered the morning and evening paper and worked at Safeway. After an honorable discharge he went into business with his parents, they owned and operated the Uecker’s Food Mart on 36th and 1st Avenue South. Starting in 1960 he was employed at Great Falls National Bank. He worked there in many capacities and left in 1972 to become Vice President at the First National Bank in Whitefish, Montana. He also worked at the bank in Eureka and for the Evergreen Bancoporation until retiring in 1992. Not one to have nothing to do, Bud started his own consulting business that took him to Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, and Washington. He did this until retiring for good in 2001, when he and Gerry moved back to Great Falls.

Bud was involved in many community activities; Long time board member of Northwest Hospital Whitefish, Kiwanis Club, Junior Achievement Great Falls, Bowling leagues, Montana Bankers Association, DeMolay, a lifetime member of the Masonic Lodge York Rite (Delta Lodge 125) and the Algeria Shrine. He was also involved in all sports his two boys participated in, many times driving late at night and going to work the next morning. He was very involved with the Whitefish Winter Carnival and served as the Carnival Prime Minister in 1977.

Survivors include his wife, Gerry, Son Drew (Ruth), and five grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, and two great great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and his eldest son Jim (Mary) of Billings.

Any memorials in Bud’s name can be sent to the Great Falls Public Schools Foundation 1100 4th St S Great Falls, MT 59405 or the Children's Tumor Foundation Mail Code:6895 P.O. Box 7247 Philadelphia, PA 19170-0001.

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