James A. Weikert, 79

James A. Weikert was born on Nov. 11, 1935, to Austin and Ruth Weikert in Somers.

“He entered the kingdom of heaven” peacefully on Nov. 24, 2014, after complications of heart surgery.

In John 14:27 our Lord and Savior says “I am leaving you with a gift — peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”

Growing up in the Flathead was an incredible source of pride for "Jim." While in high school, Jim was granted the opportunity to attend an FFA Chorus event in Kansas City, Missouri. The experience was a milestone in Jim's life and held sentimental feelings of accomplishment and awe. After high school, Jim attempted to enlist in the Army to follow his father's accomplished success as an artillery/marksman training specialist. However, a heart valve defect prevented him from serving his country so Jim enrolled at Montana State University.

It was at MSU that Jim reunited with childhood friend Richard Dukelow. The two young college students shared a love of the Flathead which forged a friendship that lasted his lifetime. While in Bozeman, Jim met and married Bertie (Alberta) Hanson and together they had five children during their 19 years of marriage.

Jim loved the outdoors, hunting and fishing; especially with both his brothers-in-law Bill Davis of Troy and Dick Utterback of Greeley, Colorado, as well as his sons, Ben, James and Anthony. Many cherished family vacations centered in Northwest Montana, hiking and fishing in the splendors of the Flathead region.

Jim was employed by Mountain Bell, a position which relocated him in numerous cities in the state; eventually settling in the Great Falls area. In 1972 he was able to transfer to Bozeman. He and Bertie divorced in 1975 but remained good friends, enjoying many happy family events. Jim later married Gloria in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Together they enjoyed a love of golf which became Jim's life passion.

After semi-retirement, they purchased the Lakeside Motel and spent several years upgrading it and enjoyed sailing. After retiring from Mountain Bell, Jim continued to subcontract to phone companies in Florida, Colorado, New York and Nevada. Jim and Gloria later divorced and he once again left the Flathead Valley. Jim had the good fortune to meet the truest love of his life, Diane, in Albany, New York. Time and distance were no match for the joy and love they shared. After reuniting in 2003, they married in Nevada in 2006 and settled in Boise, Idaho. Diane’s charm, wit and intellect provided many happy hours of creative discussion and storytelling.

Jim is survived by his wife, Diane; his sisters, Barbara, Elizabeth Dean, Mildred and Mary Cay; his children, Ben Weikert, Cindy and Traig Howells, Teri Weikert, James and Becky Weikert, and Anthony and Priscilla Weikert; also grandchildren, Nicholas, Bria, Paisley, Cale, Bo, Chance, Jessica, John, Colby, Camryn and Carson; and great-grandchildren, Gage, Sackett, Iylah, Brogen, Tanner, Teagen, Tizer and CeCe.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Austin and Ruth Weikert; his first wife, Bertie; and his brother-in-law, Walt Connelly.

A celebration of life is to be held at 11 a.m. on Aug. 2 at the Woodlawn Cemetery in Columbia Falls.