James Holenbeck

Visitation with family receiving friends: Friday, March 28, 2008 from 5:00 to 7:00pm at the First Baptist Church in Colstrip.

Funeral services: Saturday March 29, 2008 at 5:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Colstrip.

Burial: Colstrip Cemetery at a later time.

James Jim Delbert Holenbeck, of Colstrip, lost his long and hard fought battle with lung cancer on Wednesday, March 26th, 2008. Jim was born in Lusk, Wyoming on November 12th 1939. He started school in Washington and continued in Cody Wyoming.

At about 16 years old he began his career working in road construction traveling throughout Wyoming and Montana. Jim had a natural ability when it came to operating heavy equipment. He could operate just about every piece of equipment they put him on but operating the Blade was his greatest achievement, he mastered it by the age of 18.During his travels he met and married the love of his life, Dixie, in Powell, Wyoming. This union has lasted for 46 years. They continued to travel while he worked road construction. Along the way they had three sons and a daughter.

In 1975 Jim landed a job at the mine in Colstrip. This is where they finally settled down to raise their children. Jim and Dixie spent all their spare time chasing after their kids. No matter what the activity their kids were in, wrestling, football, basketball, volleyball etc. they supported them 100%. Although he never had any athletic background he became a very accomplished wrestling coach and was instrumental in helping starting the Colstrip AAU Wrestling program because his boys wanted to wrestle. Coaching baseball also became a passion. It wasnt uncommon to see him get home from work and go straight to a practice or game. His life revolved around his family. Soon after his children were grown he had grand children to chase. Jim was also instrumental in bringing the Moose Lodge to Colstrip. He was a Charter Moose member. Jim continued working at the mine and retired at the age of 65.

Jim is survived by his wife, Dixie; Three sons, Mike of Colstrip; Kenny of Colstrip; Jerry (Pam) of Rigby, ID; A daughter, Krista of Colstrip. Nine Grandchildren, Stephanie, Steven, Jamie, Aaron, Tell, Tyler, Trent, Mason and Dillon. One Great Grandson, Camden. Two great granddaughters, Chloey and Payton. One nephew, Mathew and three nieces, Stephanie, Brook and Tessa. He is also survived by one brother, Harold Holenbeck of Yakima, WA and a sister, Alta (Jim) Meuiner of Bailey, CO.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, parents, brother Larry, and several cousins, aunts and uncles.