James R. ‘Jim’ Grace, age 88, of Clancy

James Robert Grace

Born Feb 28, 1937 in Dillon, Montana

Died Mar 18, 2025 in Helena, Montana

Grew up in Dillon and Laurel, Montana where his interest in auto mechanics led him to work during high school for Beam’s Body Shop in Laurel.

He also worked as a lifeguard in the summers, Stormont’s Blacksmith and Welding, and part time for his father’s trucking company.

He graduated from Laurel High School with the class of 1957, and then attended Montana State University.

He married Carol Jean Erickson of Bozeman June 1, 1958

They had three children:  Mary Jo Elizabeth, Shannon Kay Jean, and Paul Robert James “Bobby”.

After the wedding, Jim went to work for Consolidated Freightways in Billings, MT.  He later worked for Boeing Aircraft in Seattle, WA, then ended up with a drafting position at the State of Montana Bridge Department.

After Carol Jean and Jim parted ways, he married Donna Arlene Olson Zimmerman on December 27, 1974, to become the stepfather to her five children, Barbara, Ted, Dave, Jim, and Jeff.

Jim and Donna lived in Clancy, MT until building their dream house on Crazy Mountain outside Montana City, where they resided (with snow-bird trips to Lake Havasu, AZ) until their deaths.

Jim loved square dancing, fishing, camping in their fifth-wheel, and spending time in the outdoors.

Jim is preceded in death by his mother & father, wife Donna, daughter Mary Jo , stepson Ted Zimmerman, and granddaughter Roxane Nelson Forbes.

He is survived by sisters Betty Loos and Lillie Grace; Children Shannon (Todd) Paddock, Bob (Karen) Grace, and Mary Jo’s husband- Rich Nelson; step-children Barb (Bill) Townsend, Ted’s wife- Karen Zimmerman, Dave Zimmerman, Jimmy Zimmerman, & Jeff (Kera) Zimmerman; 12 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren.

A Memorial Service is scheduled for 11:00 a.m., Monday, April 7, 2025 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home with a reception to follow the service in the social hall of the funeral home. Burial will be held at Forestvale Cemetery.

Service Schedule

Memorial Service

11:00 a.m.

Monday April 7, 2025

Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home

3750 N. Montana Ave.

Helena, Montana 59602

View map

Reception

Following the service

Monday April 7, 2025

Social Hall of Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home

3750 N. Montana Ave.

Helena, Montana 59602

View map

Burial

Following the reception

Monday April 7, 2025

Forestvale Cemetery

490 Forestvale Rd.

Helena, Montana 59602

View map

Share

Send flowers

Please visit the floral shop page for assistance in choosing a local florist.

Photo Gallery

No photos have been submitted yet.
Click here to share yours.