James “Jim” Evan Tresner, 59, passed away on Friday, April 12, 2013 at St. Peter’s Hospital after a short, courageous battle with esophageal cancer. Jim was born in Helena on July 20, 1953 to Charles William and Pauline Norma (Roat) Tresner. Jim lived in Helena until the age of 5 when his family moved to Red Lodge, MT where he graduated from Red Lodge High in 1971. While in school Jim played basketball and football. He enlisted in the Army in 1972 with some of his friends and was honorably discharged in 1975. He then moved back to Helena and worked at Super Save on North Montana Ave. until their closing in 1990. He then went to work at Buttery’s for a short time before going to work at Carroll College where he has spent his last 22 years.
Jim met the love of his life, Valerie Ann Patzer in 1977 and they were married July 29, 1978. With their union they created two wonderful children, Tiffany and Jason. As a family we enjoyed many weekends camping, going on vacations and spending many hours in bowling ally’s. Jim and Val enjoyed many activities together such as attending Carroll College sporting events and their Sunday morning breakfast at the Last Chance Casino. Over the last few years they enjoyed a yearly trip to Las Vegas.
Jim was very proud of his children and was a big part of many of their accomplishments. He watched them both excel in different areas of schooling with Jason graduating from the College of Great Falls with a degree in auto body restoration and Tiffany graduating from Rocky Mountain College and then from South University with a masters in physician assistant studies. The family enjoyed a nice vacation to Georgia this last summer by going to an Atlanta Braves game, riding the rides at six flags and spending time at the beach.
Jim couldn’t get enough of sports and watched almost any sporting event on TV and in the quiet time you could find him reading a good book. He also spent countless hours supporting his children throughout their many sporting events over the years. Whether it was soccer for Tiffany or baseball, football or riding 4 wheelers for Jason he was there and cheering them on.
He was also able to be a part of the happiest moment of Tiffany’s life by giving her away at her wedding in August of 2012 to Christopher Lamping, who he thoroughly enjoyed giving a hard time about his love for Griz football. Chris and Jim shared some good discussion and seemed to give each other a hard time about whatever they were discussing.
Jason and Jim enjoyed their many falls together by going hunting and unfortunately came home emptied handed more often than not, although, these times provided for many good stories for both.
No words can explain how we feel at this time. Jim will be greatly missed by the many lives he has touched over the years.
Jim is survived by his loving wife Valerie, his children Tiffany (Christopher) Lamping and Jason, his sister Janice (Roy) Powell, and half sister Rosella Mellen and her four children. His mother-in-law Marjorie Patzer, brother-in-laws Brian (Deb) Patzer and their two children, Kelley (Mary) Patzer and their two children.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents Chuck and Pauline, his brother Tom, father-in-law Edwin Patzer and nephew Shane Powell.
A celebration of Jim’s life will take place at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 17, 2013 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave. A reception will immediately follow in the social hall at the funeral home. Burial with full military honors will take place at 1:45 p.m. Wednesday, April 17, 2013 at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Memorials in Jim’s name are suggested to St. Peter’s Cancer Treatment Center c/o St. Peter’s Hospital, 2475 Broadway, Helena, MT 59601 or Carroll College Athletic Program, 1601 N. Benton Ave. Helena, MT 59625.
Service Schedule
Celebration of His Life
11:00 am
Wednesday April 17, 2013
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the Celebration of His Life
Wednesday April 17, 2013
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Burial with Military Honors
1:45 p.m.
Wednesday April 17, 2013
Sunset Memorial Gardens
205 9th Ave.
Helena, MT 59602
Service Schedule
Celebration of His Life
11:00 am
Wednesday April 17, 2013
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the Celebration of His Life
Wednesday April 17, 2013
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Burial with Military Honors
1:45 p.m.
Wednesday April 17, 2013
Sunset Memorial Gardens
205 9th Ave.
Helena, MT 59602
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Linda and Jeff Kindrick says
Val and family,
We were sorry to read about Jim’s passing. We will keep you and the rest of your family in our prayers.
Sally and Ed Beall says
Dear Val, Tiffany and Jason,
We are so sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. You will All be in our prayers and thoughts.
Mary Pat Dutton says
Valerie and family – my thoughts and prayers are with you. May your happy memories sustain you.
Marie Kall says
Val, please accept my deepest sympathy to you and your family. Marie kall
Dave & Carrie Schell says
Val, Jason, Tiff & Chris,
There surely aren’t words to say how missed Jim will be! So happy to be part of all of your lives and to have shared some good times with Jim. Words will never be enough to say how sorry for this loss, it’s a great one for sure! We’ll forever have him with us and never will forget his humor and happiness. Love you all!!
tim o.malley says
My thought and prayers to the family. From one REDSKIN to the another Love ya buddy..
Brian and Sharon Roat says
We send our condolences to Jim’s family and friends. A branch of our famly tree is now missing.
Michelle Van Nice says
Val, Tiffany and Jason,
So very sorry about the loss of your husband and Dad. My thoughts are prayers are with you.
Kaylee Neal says
On behalf of the Rocky Mountain College soccer girls…We are so sorry to hear about the loss of such a wonderful man. He was always so loving and kind. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. He will truly be missed. Love you Iffy.
Crystine Anderson Ness says
Sorry for your loss. Jim was my mom’s cousin. I remember seeing him a few times when I was younger and my mom would take us to “Uncle Chuck’s” house. They were both close in age so there was a bond. As someone who lost her mother a long time your in my thoughts.
Ethel Patzer says
Dear Valerie,
I’m so sorry for your loss. I remember you came to my husband’s funeral, but other commitments will keep me from coming on Wednesday. I will be praying and thinking of you and your family.
Tori Hunthausen says
Val, Tiffany and Jason –
I often saw Jim walking down Benton, thinking I should be doing the same. You are all in my thoughts and prayers during this incredibly painful time. Tori (Jacque and Alli) Hunthausen
Albert Brown says
I was shocked and sadden to hear of Jim passing. My thoughts and prayers go out to Jim’s family. I will keep you all in my prayers.
Julie Strong-Bethke says
Val, Tiffany and Jason I am so sorry for your loss. I am praying for all of you at this difficult time.
Chuck Rutherford says
My condolences go out to Jim’s family and friends. I have many fond memories of Jim and his famiy.
Paul and Irene Roat says
Our condolences go out to all the family. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers doing this most difficult time.
Grant Nagel says
I knew Jim from Carroll College. I work Security and our office is in St. Charle’s Hall. Jim joked with me and I with him. He was unique and I liked him. Please accept my empathy and best wishes.
Tony Roat and Family says
To all of Jim’s family and friends our thoughts are with you.
Wendi White says
Val, Tiff & Jason — i am so sorry to hear of your loss. I’ve been thinking of you a lot — sending you love and prayers.
Al and Judy Miller says
Valerie and family,
We are so sorry to hear about Jim.
We are in Lake Havasu, AZ and we just happened to check the paper in Helena and saw where Jim passed away.
Our Deepest Sympathy and Prayers go out to you and your family.
We both enjoyed working with Jim at Carroll. We enjoyed seeing and visiting with both of you at our meetings in Walmart and Last Chance Casino.
Take care. Remember the good times.
Al and Judy
Michael Lambert says
Val and Family, I am so saddened to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time. God bless! Mike