Obituary - James W. Branden

James W. Branden, 66, passed away at his residence due to natural causes Tuesday, May 8, 2018.

Cremation has taken place, and at Jim's request, no services will be held at this time. His family has suggested that memorial donations be made in Jim's name to the charity of their choice.

Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.

Please visit Jim's online memorial page and leave a message of condolence for his family at http://www.hollandbonine.com.

Jim was born March 11, 1952, in Havre to Lawrence and Gertrude (Gerky) Branden. He was raised on the family farm north of Havre (formerly Old MacDonald's farm), attending school in Havre. Following his high school years, Jim worked as a mechanic, first for several different companies, then moving on to own T & T Equipment Repair until his retirement in 2010.

He married Janet Baker in 1973, and the couple had three children. They purchased the farm from his parents in the mid-1990s, and Jim continued to work at the shop during the day and farm outside of shop hours. He retired from farming in 2013, and he and Janet began spending six months a year in Mesa, AZ.

When he was younger, Jim enjoyed hunting and fishing. In more recent years, he made yard art and pickle forks to give away. He also spent much of his time making roadrunners for donations to help fund the Sunshine Acres Children's Home in Mesa.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence and Gert Branden; sister Trudy Brown; nephew Robby Williams; brothers-in-law Bob Gaskill and Don Baker; and parents-in-law, Tom and Jessie Baker Jr.

He is survived by his wife, Janet Branden of Havre; daughter, Jamie (Brian) Berreth of Chinook; sons, James L. (Nicki) Branden of Havre and Jared (Laci) Branden of Spokane, WA; seven grandchildren, Drake, Mya, Paisley, Hayden, Cutler, Kyra and Violet; sisters Bev Williams of Havre and Donna (Dennis) Grant of Manhattan, MT; sisters-in-law, Sandy (Ron) Olmstead and Kathy (Jerry) Engleson; brother-in-law Tom (Debbie) Baker III; and numerous nieces and nephews.