James F. Kazebier, 76

James F. Kazebier (Jimmy) passed away peacefully at his home in Lakeside at the age of 76 after suffering with pulmonary fibrosis. God knew how much he could bear and eased his pain on Jan. 31, 2024.
Jimmy was born to Nate and Patricia (Miller) Kazebier on April 26, 1947 in Los Angeles. He grew up in Hemet, Calif., where he graduated from high school in 1965. Jimmy went on to serve in the Air Force from 1966 until 1970 and then obtained a degree in general business from Mt. San Jacinto Community College. While serving, he met and married Marla Kroschel. They had three children, Jacque, Jason and Gretchen. The family moved to Hamilton in 1976.
Jimmy was active in the Hamilton community serving several years as the city building inspector, Bitterroot Red Sox coach and a co-leader of The Pathfinder Club.
A skilled carpenter, Jimmy built his family a home at the base of Downing Mountain. He was known for his meticulous work and attention to detail. Co-owning his own construction company, he built and remodeled many homes in the Hamilton area.
While Jimmy loved his occupation as a carpenter, he truly had a passion for the outdoors. He was an avid skier and could often be found hiking and skiing the mountains in the Bitterroot Valley with his son Jason, family and cherished friends. Golf and kayaking were also activities he enjoyed however family backpacking trips were the highlight of the summer.
Jimmy was also known for his love of music. He was not only talented in playing guitar, banjo, mandolin, hammer dulcimer, violin and harmonica, but he designed and built many of his own musical instruments including a Celtic harp. The gift of sharing music with his loved ones has left a lasting legacy.
Sadly, his first wife, Marla, passed away after 38 years of marriage. Jimmy married Peggy Alexander in 2006. They moved to the Oregon coast briefly before returning to Montana. Settling in Lakeside, Jimmy was able to spend time with family, ski, do carpentry and play music for his church family with his wife Peggy.
Jimmy leaves many memories filled with love and laughter. Our hearts are broken, we miss him so much. We take comfort in knowing he is at peace, resting in Jesus.
He is survived by his second wife, Peggy Kazebier; daughters, Jacque (Russell) Gruel and Gretchen Kazebier; Peggy’s children, Pam (Nate) Marcoe and Darin (Elaine) Alexander; grandchildren, Justin (Jasper) Gruel, Andrew (Monica) Gruel, Jocelyn Kazebier, Eden, Simon, Rachel, and Hannah Marcoe; great-grandchildren, Adeline, Charlotte, and Lydia Gruel, and Joseph Gruel; brother Robert (Yuka) Homan; sisters, Kathy (Don) Lynch and Judy Marx; and many other nieces and nephews and cousins all of whom he loved so much.
Jimmy is preceded in death by his first wife, Marla Kazebier, son, Jason Kazebier; parents, Nate and Patricia, stepfather, Marvin Homan; sisters, Joanne Kazebier, Dee Homan and Joy Krig; brother, Jerry Kazebier
Memorial service will be held March 2, 2024 at 4 p.m. at the Kalispell Seventh-day Adventist Church, it will also be live streamed from the church’s YouTube channel.