Our Boys

Michael M. Sutich
Michael M. Sutich, 87, of Great Falls, a former Tracy resident and Anaconda employee and World War II Army veteran, died of natural causes Monday at a local nursing home.
His funeral is 2 p.m. Friday at Hillcrest Lawn Memorial Chapel, with burial in Mount Olivet Cemetery. Schnider Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
Mike is survived by his wife Virginia Sutich of Great Falls; two daughters, Patty (Robert) Shepard of Huntsville, Ala., and Kathy (Steve) Umphres of Stockett; two sons, Mike (Marie) Sutich and Bob Sutich of Great Falls; seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Michael was born Nov. 12, 1920, in Centerville, Mont., to George and Helen (Besich) Sutich. He lived and attended grade school at St. Thomas Orphanage, then graduated from Centerville High School, where he was a talented athlete and earned All-American football honors.
He served in the Army during World War II, was captured by the Germans and spent nine months as a prisoner of war. Upon his release at the end of the war, he attended Montana State University. He earned a degree in horticulture and met Virginia Anwiler. They were married in Bovey, Minn., in 1949. They settled in Tracy and Mike worked at the Anaconda Co. from 1951 until it closed in 1978.
Mike loved gardening, spending time outdoors, and was famous for his long walks. He especially enjoyed the time spent with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Mike was a devoted Centerville Miner sports fan and rarely missed an athletic event. He was also a loyal Notre Dame football fan.
Mike was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers and four sisters.
Condolences may be posted online at www.schniderfuneralhome.com and/or www.gftribune.com/obituaries.