Jim Staudinger

James V. Staudinger, 79, of Bozeman, passed away May 7, 2010 at St. Vincent#8217;s Hospital in Billings, MT from complications of a head injury. He was born February 10, 1931 in Richardton, ND, the son of Valentine and Cecelia (Kuntz) Staudinger. He was raised in North Dakota. Following his graduation from high school, he worked for Sterham Construction in Glendive. Jim became a marine and served our country in the Korean War from 1951 to 1954 at the rank of corporal. He earned the Korean Service Medal, UN Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and USMC Good Conduct Medal. While on leave from the marines, he met the love of his life, Mary Ann Kearns. They were married November 22, 1954 in Hebron, ND. Jim graduated from North Dakota State School of Science in Sheet Metal, Pattern Drafting and Plumbing. They moved to Bozeman where he worked for McLees Sheet Metal and later for the US Postal Service until his retirement in 1983 due to poor health. In the early years he was a scout master for Holy Rosary School when his children were in scouts. He was an active member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church, and active lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus; he was also Grand Knight for two terms, and a lifetime member of the Elks. Jim was a member of the VFW, the American Legion Post 14, the Eagles Lodge and NARFE. Jim loved camping, boating and fishing at Canyon Ferry with his family. Jim and Mary Ann enjoyed dancing together at the Elks. Jim also had a green thumb growing vegetables and flowers for Mary Ann. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Raphael, George, and infant brother Edmund, his son Dale, his grandson Dusty and his daughter-in-law Nancy. Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Mary Ann of Bozeman; his daughter and son-in-law Sandy and Randy Herbst of Manhattan; his son Stephen of Denver, CO; grandchildren Darin (Jamie) Staudinger of Bozeman, Travis Poser of Manhattan, Jamie Poser of Belgrade, and Roy Poser of Gallatin Gateway. A Rosary will be led by the Knights of Columbus at 5:00 pm, followed by a Vigil service at 5:30 pm Thursday at Dahl Funeral Chapel. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 am Friday at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, followed by interment with military honors by Manhattan Legion Post #87 ant the Marine Corps at Sunset Hills Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made in Jim#8217;s name to Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 220 W Main St, Bozeman, MT 59715.