Geoff entered into eternal life with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on the morning of June 3, 2026, surrounded by his loving family at home. He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer on April 24, 2026. Our beloved Husband, Daddy, and Papa assured all of his family that he was not afraid to die because he knew he would be with Jesus in heaven!
     Geoff was born on September 1, 1953, to Darwin and Maebelle (Wimberley) Talafuse at William Beaumont Army Hospital, Fort Bliss in El Paso, TX. He was baptized at Redeemer Lutheran Church in El Paso on November 15, 1953, and confirmed on June 2, 1968, at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Colorado Springs, CO.
     In 1971, his pastor, Rev. Harold Hiller encouraged Geoff to attend an LCMS high school, St. John’s Academy and College, in Winfield, KS. At the same time, LaRae’s pastor, Rev. Al Pullmann was helping her with forms for the Parish Worker program at the same school. It was there that they met, and also became lifelong friends with other “Johnnies”.
     In 1972, Geoff enlisted in the army and went to Fort Bliss, TX after St. John’s Academy closed. While serving in the Army, he received a National Defense Service Medal and an Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Korea). Wherever Geoff was stationed, he always managed to stay in close contact with LaRae.
     In 1973, Geoff was assigned to Fort Riley, KS, while LaRae began work at Concordia in Seward, NE. They became engaged and on June 9, 1974, they were married by Pastor Al Pullmann at Mount Olive Lutheran Church, Billings. Their first son was born in Manhattan, KS in 1975, and soon after that Geoff’s military days were over.
     After working for a few years with LaRae’s family in Billings, he eventually packed up his little family and drove to River Forest, IL to begin studies to become a pastor. Finding no place to live, they instead went to San Angelo, TX where most of Geoff’s family resided. It was there that he completed his apprenticeship to become an electrician in 1981. During this time, three more children were born and they lived in Texas until moving back to Billings in 1996, where he worked until his retirement in 2015.
     Geoff was an active member of Mount Olive and served in various positions through the years. He also loved being involved with Yellowstone Valley Lutherans For Life and will dearly miss all of his fellow members.
     He could be found riding his bike almost every day, playing his guitar, donating plasma, competing in pickleball or four square, building furniture, traveling to visit his children and grandchildren, or at home playing pinochle with family. He was especially proud of his grandchildren’s accomplishments and loved cheering them on, whether it was musical performances, plays, or sports. He was a loving Papa who never hesitated to sit on the floor and play with his youngest grandbabies too.
     Geoff’s love for his family was a beautiful reflection of his Savior’s love for him and was a strong foundation for our entire family. We know that we will be with him again in Heaven.
     Geoff is survived by his wife, LaRae, four children: Scott (Mohinder & Asoka) of Murfreesboro, TN; Rachel and Nick McNabb (Noah & Connor) of San Antonio, TX; Nathan and Anna (Eric, Andrew, Payton, Gabriel, & Olivia) of Billings, MT; and Sarah and Aaron Fenker (Eva, Aaron, Abigail, William, James, & Matthew) of Milwaukee, WI, his siblings: David and Rose (San Antonio, TX); Paul and Donna (Berthoud, CO); Laura “Kathleen” (Longmont, CO); and Timothy and Laura (Florissant, CO), brothers and sisters-in-law: Mavis Thompson; Donald and Janis Thompson; Sue and Ron Going; and Darrel and Karen Thompson (all from Billings, MT); Cindy Hein (Thornton, CO); numerous beloved nieces and nephews, and extended family and friends.
     He is preceded in death by his father, Darwin Talafuse; his mother, Maebelle Talafuse; his father and mother-in-law, Jim and Ramona Thompson; and brothers-in-law, Michael Thompson and Bruce Hein.
     The family would like to thank everyone that kept us in their prayers; and all those who helped with Geoff’s comfort and care, especially: Pastor Willis McCall, Billings Clinic Supportive and Palliative Care Team, and the “awesome” nurses at Billings Clinic Hospital and RiverStone Health Hospice. Special thanks also to Michelotti-Sawyers for their kindness and thoughtfulness!
     A luncheon will be served in the Fellowship Hall after the service. Interment with military honors will follow at Yellowstone National Cemetery, 55 Buffalo Trail Rd., Laurel, MT at 1:00 PM.
     In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Yellowstone Valley Lutherans For Life #331 or to RiverStone Health Hospice.