Although George was born in Longview, Washington, he has spent almost all of his life in Moorhead. When George was five years old his Mom and Dad moved to Moorhead and opened the funeral home. George attended school in Moorhead and graduated from Oak Grove Lutheran High School in Fargo, Concordia College in Moorhead, and the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, where he received his professional training.

In 1974 George was married to Ruth Haugland from International Falls, MN. Ruth is George's full-partner at work, as well as home. Ruth is in charge of the business office and assisting families with pre-arranging services. They have two children, James, who is married to Cindy, and Joy, who is married to Josh Herrell, and five grandchildren, Nathan, Paul, Lucas, Caleb & Josiah.

George and Ruth live in south Moorhead and are both active in the church and the community.