Louis Joseph "Tim" Geiermann
Jan 8, 1934 -
Oct 12, 2022
Born Louis Joseph Geiermann, he was known by family and friends as "Tim" for most of his life. In his later years, he became affectionately known as 'The Ole Man'.
Tim was born, the only son after five sisters, on Jan. 8, 1934, to Louis Sr. and Myrtle Geiermann in Detroit, Mich. He attended St. Cecilia's and Assumption Catholic Schools in Detroit. After college he joined the Submarine Corps in the U.S. Navy serving aboard the USS Trout which patrolled north of Russia during the Cold War. He moved to Alaska in 1956 as a Gandy Dancer on the Alaska Railroad. Later he worked relocating buildings in Anchorage and around southcentral Alaska. He moved houses, small office buildings and churches. He continued moving buildings well into his 80s.
Tim met and married Marilee Johnson in 1959. They homesteaded on Lake Marilee near Big Lake, Alaska. In the next 8 years they had six children, 1 boy and 5 girls. Tim became a general contractor and worked extensively for the Archdiocese of Anchorage, building Catholic churches in Big Lake, Valdez, Cordova and other Alaskan communities. After the '64 quake he was a key planner in the rebuilding/relocating of the city of Valdez. In the late 1960s, he built many houses and subdivisions in Anchorage with his contracting business 'Beluga Builders'. He also owned Dimond Building Supply, a lumber yard with two locations in Anchorage. Later he worked on the North Slope for Husky Oil sending letters home to his family from 'Camp Lonely'.
Tim began prospecting in the '70's' and was a successful gold miner in remote parts of Alaska including Hope and Petersville areas. He met and married Hilda Quarles in 1979. They moved to California where he made a living in the utility business, but Tim returned to Alaska most summers up to age 85 to continue looking for gold. Tim loved to golf and enjoyed watching football and The History Channel. He was known for his outspoken political views and enjoyed a heated debate.
Tim died on Oct. 12, 2022, in Valley Center, Calif. of complications following a stroke. His wife and family were at his bedside. His son said, "His body was worn out by old age; he needed his wings". Tim's unique personality, get up and go, and fun attitude will be greatly missed by everyone that knew him.
He is survived by wife, Hilda Geiermann of Valley Center, Calif.; sister, Joan Schneider of Livonia, Mich.; son, Timothy Geiermann (Voni) of Big Lake, Alaska; daughters, Margaret Geiermann of Big Lake, Alaska, Kimberly Bakic (Mike) of Anchorage, Alaska, Kathleen Carstens (Tom) of Renton, Wash., Melissa Hyatt (Todd) of Seattle, Wash., Mary Black of Bellevue, Wash., and Jade Arbelo (Al) of Fallbrook, Calif.; 19 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Services will be Nov. 4 at noon at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church in Big Lake, Alaska. Our Lady of the Lake was one of the churches Tim helped build after homesteading in the area. All are welcome to attend and after Mass there will be a time to share a favorite Ole Man story. Remembrances can be made to support Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church.
