James R. Staedt

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,

MT 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 to 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 Childrens 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 10:00am at the St. Theresa’s Catholic Church in

Whitehall, MT 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

Childrens Hospital. Online donations can be made at www.lovetotherescue.org or you can mail donations to

Shriners Hospitals for Children, Spokane Unit, P.O. Box 2472, Spokane, WA 99201-2472.