James Robert Brunn

James R. Brunn passed away Sunday, July 13, 2014 at Park Place Care Center in Great Falls, Montana.

Viewing will be from 5:00 to 7:00 pm on Sunday, July 20 ^th at Whitted Funeral Chapel in Shelby.  Funeral Mass will be 10:30 am on Monday, July 21 ^st at St. William’s Catholic Church followed by military graveside honors at Mountain View Cemetery in Shelby.

Jim was born May 21, 1923 in Maywood Township, Benton County, Minnesota to Alex and Mary Brunn.  He served in the United States Navy during WWII.  He came to Shelby from Minnesota with his brother Leo.  Jim married Fern Frank Sisk in Great Falls in 1962.  They lived in Shelby until 1969 when they moved to the Kalispell area. They moved back to Shelby in 1977 and then to Conrad at Blue Sky Villa in 1995. He finally moved to Eagles Manor in Great Falls in 2012. He worked most of his life as a mechanic.  He also worked as a bus driver and a janitor in the Shelby school system.  He enjoyed woodworking, working on vintage cars, and later in life, dancing.

Jim is survived by his daughter, Sue Fritz; his son-in-law Jim Nelson; his grandchildren Harvey Nelson (Beth), Nancy Reedy (George), Frank Nelson, Wade Nelson (Kayleen), Carrie Reynolds (Jim), Joe Fritz (Heidi), Jim Fritz (Dena), Connie Becker (Powell); 18 great grandchildren, 4 great-great grandchildren, and 43 nieces and nephews; and his good friend and dancing partner Lee Boumans.  He was preceded in death by his parents, 11 brothers and sisters, his wife Fern, his daughter Georgia Nelson and three nephews.

Memorial donations can be made in Jim’s name to the Montana Veterans Memorial Flag, P.O. Box 865, Shelby, MT 59474.