James Ralph Staedt, 86

James "Jim" Ralph Staedt died peacefully at St. James Hospital in Butte, Montana on October 26, 2023, at the age of 86.

Jim is survived by his daughter Deborah (James) Arnot and his son James D. Staedt, his brother Ronald (Kathy) Staedt, his grandchildren Anna (Martin) Mata, Lacey (Dustin) Ostrander, Stephanie (Ryan) Kennedy, and Melissa (Tyler) Reid, his greatgrandchildren Shaedyn Mata, Brayden Ostrander, Kaia Reid, and Judah Reid, and four nephews Ron, John, Eric, and William Staedt. He is preceded in death by his loving wife Dorothy Staedt, his parents William Staedt and Thelma Lee Staedt, and his daughter Susan Marshall.

Jim was born on March 22, 1937, in Chippawa, Ontario Canada. He became a U.S. citizen in 1960 and spent most of his life living in Three Forks and Whitehall, Montana. He spent 30 years working at the cement plant in Trident, Montana before he retired and spent time volunteering within his community and enjoying the hobbies he loved.

Jim was passionate about helping others and being a contributing member of his local communities. His achievements and accomplishments were many: Bannock Shriner Clown since 1978; Past Director of Second Session, Shriner's Bagdad Temple, Butte, MT; Past Master Three Forks Masonic Lodge #73; Past Master Mystic Tie Riverside Masonic Lodge #17; Scottish Rite, Butte, MT; Past President of Vigilante Welfare Association; Past Worthy Patron, Order of Eastern Star, Boulder, CO and Three Forks, MT; Grand Knight of Knights of Colombus, St. Theresa's, Whitehall, MT, Council #8375; Royal Order of Jesters #23, Butte, MT; Gallatin Desert Patrol; Volunteer for St. Theresa's Catholic Church and Whitehall Food Pantry.

Jim loved his family, including his dogs Buttons, Toby, Buddy, and Pint. Jim worked as a Shriner Clown for years raising money through parades for Shriners Children's Hospitals. Jim enjoyed woodworking as a hobby and he liked gardening and sharing his home-grown vegetables with his friends and family. He was an active and devout member of the St. Theresa's Catholic Church. He was a dedicated member of the Whitehall and Butte communities and he had many friends in the surrounding area.

The memorial service is scheduled for Friday, November 3, 2023, at 10 AM at St. Theresa's Catholic Church in Whitehall, Montana with a reception to follow at the same location. Father John Crutchfield will officiate the ceremony. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Jim's life. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Shriners Children's Hospital. Online donations can be made at http://www.lovetotherescue.org or you can mail donations to Shriners Hospitals for Children, Spokane Unit, P.O. Box 2472, Spokane, WA 99201-2472.