Jim Floyd Edward Eugene VanDeHey, 85

Jim Floyd Edward Eugene VanDeHey, 85, The Nicest Guy in Missoula, bowled a 119 on Friday, Sept. 3, and on Tuesday, Sept. 7, he went to see Jesus, with great courage, in his home, surrounded and loved by family and friends. Jim was born in Appleton, Wis., on March 24, 1925, to Julia and Frank VanDeHey, weighing a whopping 1.5 pounds. Jim was orphaned by the time he was 6 years old. From age 6 to 14, Jim lived in a Catholic orphanage that he ran away from several times. The last time, at 14, he came to Missoula, where (lying about his age) he got on at Bonner Mill, the youngest person ever. Jim headed back to Wisconsin. He was married to Ella Schaefer in West Bend, Wis., on Aug. 10, 1945. Ella and Jim had two children, Dewayne and Dean. They moved back to Missoula in 1949, where later he and Ella divorced. Jim married Patricia Jean Harris on Oct. 18, 1955, blending their families, which included three children, Dean, Terri and Penni. Pat and Jim had three children together, Robin, Lisa and Patrick. Grandpa Jim, or the nicest guy in Missoula, as he introduced himself, brightened the lives of anyone he came in contact with. Jimmie lived life with enthusiasm and vigor. Much of Grandpa Jim s time was spent at the cabin he built with his best friends, Karl and Effie Schmidt, in Seeley Lake. It was a favorite family gathering spot where Grandpa taught his kids life lessons and instilled in them his infamous work ethic. Making his living as a cement finisher in the Five Valleys, he had a hand in some of Missoula s historical developments, including pouring the cement for the M on Mount Sentinel. Other projects included the dam at Georgetown Lake, as well as the Nevada Creek Reservoir Spillway. Jim s life was filled with family and friends, of which he made new ones wherever he went. Grandpa Jim s charm and charisma won t soon be forgotten. The family would love to see you at his service at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 11, at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Missoula, where he was a charter member. So put your teeth in your pocket, get your stocking cap on and we ll see you there! Jim is preceded in death by his son, Dewayne Pooki VanDeHey; his parents; and 12 of his siblings. He is survived and much loved by his children, Dean VanDeHey and wife Brenda, Terri Curtis and husband Mark Stevens, Penni Keersemaker and husband John, Robin Rau and husband Marty, Lisa VanDeHey and husband D.C. Haas, Patrick VanDeHey and wife Mindy; grandchildren, Matthew Keersemaker and wife Kristi, Sally Rau, Jessica Keersemaker, Christopher Rau and wife Julia, Kailey VanDeHey, Katie Haas, Karley VanDeHey, Nick Haas, Noel Walker, Alan Aavedal, Christina Kuntz, Yvonne Paul, and Brian McEvoy; great-grandchildren, Kelsey Keersemaker, Carson Keersemaker, Tylia Hawkins, Benjamin Rau, Joshua Lamp, Michael Keith, Tyler Keith, Cody Lague, Kaleb VanOstrand, Bryaonna McEvoy, Alayanna McEvoy, and Brea Kuntz; as well as several family members in and around the Green Bay, Wis., and Illinois area, and far too many friends to mention. In lieu of flowers or gifts, please send a donation to the Sleepy Teepee Trust Fund. His cabin, The Sleepy Teepee, was Grandpa s passion, and he would want it to be around for generations of family and friends to enjoy. Donations can be made to Missoula Federal Credit Union, care of the Jim VanDeHey Memorial Fund. God loves ya, and so do I!