James "Jim" Haacke

James (Jim) Oscar Haacke, 75, of Alberton, passed away on Sunday, August 25th, 2024 at St Patrick Hospital in Missoula, with Donna by his side.

Jim was born on November 22, 1948 in Deer Lodge, to Albert and Ramona Haacke. He grew up in Philipsburg, where much of his childhood was spent pulling fish out of Flint Creek with little brother John, and playing for hours in the hills of Granite County.

On the day of his 8th grade graduation, Jim noticed a classmate, Donna Grotbo, walking down the stairs with a trophy in hand. At that moment, it occurred to him that he would marry her someday. The prediction seemed unlikely when his family relocated to Evaro during his sophomore year, and Jim finished out high school at Frenchtown. Fate, however, would not be denied. As a freshman at the University of Montana, Jim had a chance encounter with his old schoolmate while visiting a friend at Carroll College. The rest, as they say, is history.

The couple married in Philipsburg in May of 1970. Jim found work at a trucking company just outside Missoula. Soon their first child was born, daughter Laura, and the new family moved into a duplex in Alberton. Two sons, Jeff and Ken, would follow, as well as another move to a home a couple miles down the road that had ample room for a family of five. It was here that Jim and Donna would raise their family, and remain until Jim's final day.

A proud and protective father, and a loving and devoted husband, Jim's family was his pride and joy. His work schedule often precluded him from seeing his kids during the week, but he would make up for lost time on the weekends with road trips and boating adventures on Georgetown Lake. Jim was a soft spoken and stoic man, but always beamed with pride for his children.

Jim worked 40 years in the trucking industry, mostly for Missoula Cartage. He held several positions, starting as a driver and moving his way through management. He served as chairperson for the Montana Motor Safety Council, and was honored with the Supervisor of the Year award for the state of Montana. His co-workers knew him as a reliable friend, meticulous worker, and occasional prankster.

Jim pursued many hobbies throughout his life. An avid shooting competitor in his younger years, he always maintained an extensive gun collection. Later he would fulfill his dream of owning a Harley, and convinced Donna to join him on the open road for adventures with the local biker community. In his later years, Jim spent his time making custom knives.

Many lives were touched by Jim's compassion. He founded the Jack Booth Memorial Fund to honor his late friend and provide warm clothes to local children in need. An animal lover, he constantly perused listings for rescue animals in need of homes, and was always scheming new ways to talk Donna into adopting them. Humans were commonly outnumbered in the Haacke household.

Those left to cherish memories of Jim are his wife Donna, mother Ramona, brother John, and children Laura, Jeff, and Ken, as well as a large extended family and several dear friends.

A funeral mass will be held at 1pm on Sunday, September 15th, at St Albert's Catholic church in Alberton.