James Wilmer Huseby

HAMILTON – James Wilmer Huseby, 80, of Hamilton passed away Saturday, December 24, 2016 at Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital.  He was born July 31, 1936 in Circle, MT the son of Elvin and Mabel (Emery) Huseby.

Jim grew up on the family farm and ranch in Circle.  He attended and graduated from Circle High School in 1954.  He married Darlene Gray on October 28, 1961 and they had four children together.  Early in life Jim was a cattle rancher but lost his herd to a bad winter.  He then pursued appliance and refrigeration repair which brought Jim and his family to Hamilton in 1972 to start his own refrigeration business.  Jim and Darlene later divorced and in the mid 1980’s he went back to ranching in Idaho and Montana until retiring in 2008.  During this time Jim met and fell in love with his life partner, Irene Gross, and they remained together for over 20 years.  He took care of her cattle, went to auctions together, played cards and traveled together.  Jim would search out great pie wherever they went.

Jim enjoyed camping, fishing, hunting, panning for gold, taking pictures, selling old cars from the 1930’s and 40’s and especially spending time with his children and grandchildren.  He also had a passion for garage sales and auctions.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents; 4 brothers, Eugene, Ivan, Raymond and Norman Huseby; and 1 sister, Marsha Bates.  He is survived by his children, Brent (Donna) Huseby, Brian (Dana) Huseby, Kirk (Noani) Huseby and Shelley (Shane) Moderie; his grandchildren, Bree (Bill), Dylan, Hattie, Hilde, Shawn, Amanda (Nathan) Brady, Jessica, Marcus (Brittney), Darrel, Alex, Baylee, and Elayna; his great-grandchildren, Raylan, Lucas, Jonah, Orrick, Emma, Emmett, Xander and Jaxson; his daughter, Jennifer Huseby whom he had later in life; 3 brothers, Kendal, Cedric and Orvin Huseby; and 3 sisters, Karen Larson, Betty Kirschten and Elaine Jonas.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, January 7, 2017 at 2:00 pm at the Daly-Leach Chapel with a reception following in the funeral home’s community room.