In the early morning hours of January 20, 2021, Jim peacefully passed away at the age of 93 years old.
James David Bickle was born in Ismay, Montana on November 28, 1927. He was the oldest of three children born to David and Evelyn (LaBree) Bickle. Jim attended grade school in the country school down the road from the ranch and high school in Baker, Montana where he graduated in the spring of 1945. While he was in high school, Jim met a cute little Swedish gal named Wanda Atkinson from Ekalaka, MT. They were married on December 21, 1945. Jim was just 18 and Wanda was 17.
Dad was a true Montana rancher and cowboy all his life. He really loved a good horse for either ranching or rodeo. Jim was an excellent horseman and broke countless colts to ride and work with on the ranch.
As much as he loved the ranch, he also recognized that sometimes as hard as you worked, the payoff was just not that great. Still undeterred, for over 60 years he and Wanda made their home and livelihood on the Bickle Ranch Company. The family ranch was a source of immense pride for Jim and he put his heart and soul into it. He was an exceptional cattleman and always produced calves of top quality. He was even an experimenter of sorts. He decided to bring in some breeding variety into his cattle herd. He purchased some Chianina cattle (Italian breed known to be some of the biggest cattle in the world) to cross with his Angus herd. He was hoping for some good big calves from this cross. He got big calves, alright and all the calving problems to go with it! Little did he know how wild these cattle were! Years later he laughed about it and said it was just a big rodeo day after day with all of us on horseback running after them and then watching them tear through the fences! He wasn’t in the Chianina cattle business too long needless to say!
Jim and Wanda always loved dancing. Early on in their marriage, they enjoyed square dancing all around the community and surrounding areas. As they neared retirement, they began to follow the Old Time Fiddlers group and traveled all around Eastern Montana to attend dances with beloved friends. Jim and Wanda retired to Miles City in 2002. They thoroughly enjoyed living in Miles City and especially being able to spend quality time with their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Jim also loved being in Miles City because there were so many more people for him to visit with. He loved to take walks which ended up taking hours because he had to stop to talk to everyone he ran into! Jim’s family and friends can all attest to how much he liked to visit with people. He was a warm and caring man and would “talk to a fence post” if he thought it would talk back to him!
Four children, Peggy, John, Carrie and Heidi were born to Jim and Wanda, and all were raised on the family ranch. Jim was so proud of all of his kids. He and Wanda were their kids’ biggest supporters in whatever activities they were involved in. Whether it was band/chorus, basketball, track, football, wrestling or rodeo, they often made long trips to cheer on and support the kids in those endeavors. He was a good and loving father and his kids knew they were loved.
Jim was preceded in death by his wife Wanda, parents David and Evelyn and his siblings Lynn Bickle and Harold (Hallie) Bickle. Jim is survived by his children: daughter Peggy (Jim) Hagadone of Plevna (Peggy passed away after the writing of this obituary), son John (Jan) Bickle of Plevna, daughter Carrie (Sally) Bickle of Walnut Creek, CA, daughter Heidi (Todd) Yeager of Buffalo, WY. He is also survived by six grandchildren: Mindi Murnion, Micki Hallgren, Scott Hagadone, Kristin Hagadone, Kaylee Yeager, Ashley Yeager and Bailey Yeager. Jim is survived by six great-grandchildren (Justin, Jake, Karlee, Brooke, Isabella and Addison) and two great-great grandchildren (Justice and Kembri). His also survived by countless cousins, nieces and nephews and cherished friends, all who were very special to him.
The family wishes to thank the staff of Superior Care in Baker for their care of Dad over the last two years. Michelle, Marcy, Melissa and the rest of the staff were like family to Dad. He loved them and loved to tease them. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts as you all kindly cared for Dad in his last days with such love and compassion. We are forever grateful.
A graveside service will be held on Tuesday, June 22, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. at the Custer County Cemetery in Miles City. A celebration of life will follow at the Parlor, 1806 Main Street. Everyone is invited. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the charity of one’s choice.
Service Schedule
Graveside Service
2:00 p.m.
Tuesday June 22, 2021
Custer County Cemetery
Miles City, Montana 59301
Celebration of Life
Will follow
Tuesday June 22, 2021
The Parlor
1806 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
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Curt and Patsy Almy says
We know that the great loss that all of you experience will leave a big hole in your hearts. Love and prayers are being sent your way.
Barbara Beeler says
I still remember his kind soul. He will be missed. to his family thank you for sharing him with me. He will hold a special place in my heart right next to wonda.
Pat and Sandy Anderson says
Sorry to hear of your loss.
Sherry says
So sorry for your loss! I have very fond memories of Jim! Such a great guy! Thinking of and praying for you. Death leaves a heartache no one can heal; love leaves a memory no one can steal.
Jim and Annalise Willson says
John and family we are so sorry to hear about Jim. He was such a good friend and always had time to visit. John you have been a good friend of mine for over sixty years. Please know we are thinking of you and the rest of the family.
R.I.P. Jimmy Bickle
Beth Ann Wiedeman says
So sorry for your loss. Jim and Wander held a special place in my heart. They are once again enjoying each other and probably dancing the night away. My prayers for all of Jim’s family as they grieve the loss of Jim.
Trish Yeager says
Jims Family,
Jim was such a wonderful man, he would walk around the block my mother lived on and would greet me with a great big smile and a how ya doing today! looked forward to seeing him!
May the Lord keep you all in HIS arms.
Tricia Yeager ( no relation )
Dixie Rieger says
Jim was so fun to joke and give hell to because he gave it right back. Toni and I lived visiting with him and will miss him. Heartfelt condolences to the family.
MARTHA CRANDALL says
my sympathy
Debi Willson says
Jim’s family,
I would like to extend my sympathy, Jim was a wonderful guy, and so much fun to visit with. My mother Ona Lee lived just up the street from them in Mile City for several years, and was good friends with Wanda and Jim. They had coffee at one or the others house nearly every morning. When I was up visiting mom, I got to know them well. We certainly enjoyed those times. Please know we are thinking of you and sending our condolences.
Mollie Phipps says
May your father and grandfather Rest In Peace with your mom! Love and hugs to all of you in this difficult time!!!
Bill and Rita Hanley says
Our our thoughts and prayers to each of you. Jim and Wanda are dancing the square all around Heaven and tearing up the dance floor. We so loved visiting with Wanda and Jim over the years. They were best of friends with everyone but loved it when they were telling stories with our Gma K. You can bet they are getting caught up on their stories now. At the Villa I would stop to have a word with him and he’d be teasing with that twinkle in his eye. He always extended his hand for a good firm handshake. God has a good ranch for him to watch over now. God Bless.
Jane Viall says
I have enjoyed all of the different ways I have come to know all of you in the family. I used to visit with Wanda after they moved to town and she kept the twins for a while. That seemed to be a special time for them. I pray that God bless and comfort each of you as you move forward!!!
Ann Ashley Byrd says
My parents were long time friends with Jim and Wanda. He will certainly be missed.
Joe Fredrickson says
I always enjoyed my talks with Jim at the shop at Mac’s Frontierland. So sorry for your loss.
Mike Archdale says
So sorry to hear of your family loss. It was enjoyable to me to watch my Dad Jimmy Archdale visit with Jimmy Bickel. Dad was proud to be a multi-generational friend of the Bickel Family.
Mike Correll says
Want to thank Peggy for getting in touch with me and letting me know of Jim’s passing. My condolences to all the family. I’ve stopped to visit Jim over the years whenever I was in the area.
R. I. P
Your brother from another mother.
Mike Correll
Dave &Lavonne Ewalt🙏🏻 says
So sorry for your loss. We lived two blocks from Wanda and Jim here in Miles City. Jim would come by often for a visit, more ofte when he found out I was Vern Bublitz niece. We enjoyed his visits so much.
Teal Dobie says
So sad to hear this news. Jim was a wonderful man. I will cherish our time spent together at the Villa. I have a feeling him and Wanda are dancing the soles of their boots off up there. Heidi, Carrie and family my thoughts and prayers are with you all, I know it gives you some comfort knowing him and Wanda are together again. Much love, Teal Dobie- CNA
Tammy Combs says
I am so sorry to hear about Jim. I had no idea! My thoughts and prayers go out to the entire family.
barb seibert says
Heidi and family, I am very sorry to hear of the passing of your father. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Lillian Ostendorf says
So sorry to hear of you loss. Jim was a very nice man.
Roberta Willman says
Sounds like he had an enjoyable life.
Roberta Willman, Dee McCants & Kathy Householder
Cynthia Cherry-Schif says
To Peggy, John, Heidi and Carrie – My unofficial “cousins”.
I don’t have to tell you this is the end of an era. My folks loved Wanda and Jim and they were like family to me. You know, they gave me my first ride on horseback, when I was just a toddler. Handsome paint. Don’t recall the name. Fired me up for horses, though! Jim and Wanda were always so much fun to be around. I remember she was driving Peggy, Johnny and me to “swim” in the stinking mud pools not far from the ranch. All of a sudden, she slammed on the brakes, and got out. “You kids stay in the car, there’s a rattler on the road!” She got out and quickly killed the snake and we went on our way to the slippery mud bog. So much fun! When it came time for my first tooth to fall out, Wanda tied a string around it and Jim explained he was going to shut the door, the other end of the string being tied to the doorknob. Before he could count to one, he slammed the door hard and my tooth went sailing! He laughed so hard, saying, “Cynthia, you looked so surprised when I shut the door, I didn’t know if you were going to laugh or cry!” Many years later, at my Dad’s burial, he approached the casket at the Baker Cemetery, stood in front of it for some time, and turned around and exclaimed, “Goddamm, that’s a purty casket!” So Jim. He and Wanda too will remain a beloved part of my growing up, I will always remember his loving but relentless teasing and those holy (for me) days spent at the Bickle Ranch. They’re together now, Wanda and her Jim, square dancing the halls of heaven. My love goes with them.
Ruby (kinsey) Bearley says
To Carrie, Heidi ,John and Peggy I am very sorry for ur loss of ur dad he was a great man and will be missed, my prayers and thoughts are with u all , I loved them both and we had alot of fun when we lived out there and dad worked for ur dad, God bless u all and now they are together
Tim & Mary Grube says
Peggy:
Love and prayers as your dad goes on to the ranch in the sky!! He sure lead a remarkable life! Take care!
Veda says
R.I.P. Jim, you were one of my besties at Friendship Villa. Happy that you are with Wanda, sad that you are not with us. Ride cowboy ride. Veda
Alandra Hill says
Heidi, your dad was such a dear man. I always enjoyed our visits. You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Brian Merritt says
I had the privilege of working with Jim and Wanda on the ranch for four years while attending college in Spearfish from 1984-1988. Carrie and I were in science classes together at Black Hills State and luckily she invited me to come out to the ranch and hunt mule deer. Jim, Wanda and I immediately clicked and Jim offered to pay my gas from Spearfish if I wanted to come out and work on the weekends and during any breaks. It was heaven on earth for me. (I’m a commercial fisherman and fourth grade teacher from Alaska.)
I learned all kinds of things about cattle, sheep, horses, tractors, etc. Jim showed me how to run coyotes on snow machines and allowed me to hunt anything that moved on the ranch after chores were done. He and Wanda were like second parents to me I still use some of the things I learned from them on the ranch to help teach my fourth graders! So many wonderful memories while working on the ranch! Jim is one of the most impressive men I’ve ever met and I will die with many fond memories of him. Montana people are the toughest, hardworking, fun loving people you’ll ever meet!
Cheryl Tonn says
I am so sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. I have so often thought of him since he moved from the Villa. I will always treasure our daily visits in my office ( which was on the way to the pool table 😃). He had so many hilarious stories (and never told the same one twice !) about what a rascal he was in his younger days!!!!! Boy did he love horses! 🤠. He must’ve been a beautiful sight in the saddle. He was so proud of you all and bragged on you always. He so missed Wanda. I am happy he is with her now.
Debbie Weyer says
so sorry for your loss. Jim was one of the Good Guys. I got to know Jim thru my Mom, Dorthy Ley. I was even blessed to dance with him a time or two at those jams. He was in Friendship Villa the same time as my husband, so was able to visit with him when I’d go visit Bobbie. “DEATH leaves a heartache no one can heal, LOVE leaves a memory no one can steal” author unknown.
Jannell says
So sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. I had the honor of meeting Jim in Miles City and enjoyed our walks and his jokes He’d always have a stack of jokes he’d bring to my office to read. My daughter enjoyed coming to visit and playing pool with him. He was a joy to be around and he was always so happy and kind.
I am sending you all some comfort, love, hugs and prayers ❤
Linda (Hanley-LaBree) Newman says
So very sorry to hear of Jim’s passing…he was such a nice man and always liked to visit whenever we ran into him! The last time we visited was in the Miiles City Nursing Home while visiting my Dad…he was going through kind of rough time himself, but was always upbeat with a smile on his face!! Hugs and Prayers to all of you…we’ve lost way too many friends and relatives these last couple of years!😢
Marilyn Askin says
My Sympathy and Prayers.
Harriet & Veryl Jansen says
Jim & Wanda were so nice to us widowed gals. Never let us feel out of place. Jim always spoke when I would run into him, even though he was no longer dancing. He will be missed by lots of friends and family Sending Prayers. Dancing friends Harriet & Veryl Jansen