Obituary - Harry James Rencurel

Harry James Rencurel, 81, born June 16, 1942, passed away Monday March 11, 2024, at his home in Havre. 

Harry Rencurel's funeral will be conducted Monday March 18, at 11 a.m. at St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church in Havre. Graveside service with military honors will be conducted immediately following at Highland Cemetery.

Harry was a donor to St. Jude's Hospital and Shriners Hospital for Children. Any friends or family interested in donating to a memorial are encouraged to donate to those charities.

Please visit Harry's online memorial to send a card or leave a message of condolence for his family at https://www.hollandbonine.com .

Harry was born in the backseat of a car somewhere between his family farm and Conrad, Montana. He lived in several places including Billings, Lewiston and Great Falls. Following his high school graduation, he served in the U.S. Army in several locations.

In 1967, he married Karen Marie Betterman with whom he had five children. They moved to Havre in 1978 and spent the remainder of his 40-year career with Burlington Northern railroad, which he retired from in 2006.

After retiring, he continued to do small jobs for the railroad and helping friends during harvest until he decided to enjoy his golden years split between Yuma, Arizona, during winters and Montana during summers.

Harry had several hobbies and passions. As a young adult, he competed in rodeos as a bronc rider. He enjoyed camping and being outdoors, riding and caring for his horses, watching old westerns, and collecting coins. And most of all, he loved cars and owned over 60 vehicles during his life. 

Harry was preceded in death by his parents, Cyrille and Ruth (Marcum) Rencurel; brothers, Ed and Florian Rencurel; sisters Marina Elkins, Marie Rencurel and Evelyn Thorbjohnson, and son Jarrett James Rencurel in 1987.  

He is survived by his sister and brother-in-law Irene (Jim) Becker; daughters, Jacquelyn (55), Angela (52), and Aimee (48), and his son Justin (49). He is survived by nine grandchildren, Cody Rencurel, Chandra Willnow, Kayla and Sarah McCormick, Dylan, Asia, and Mia Imbrescia, and Sloane and Ryder Rencurel, and four great-grandchildren, Demitri, Xavyer, Bently and Harper Rencurel.

The family also wants to thank Carol Tonjum, for the companionship over the last decade and care and affection during his final days.