James Joseph Preite, 77, with family and friends by his side, passed away on May 26, 2008, as a result of complications with diabetes.
A prayer vigil service will be 7 p.m., Thursday May 29, 2008, at the St. Jude Catholic Church with his funeral Mass 10 a.m. Friday May 30, 2008, also at the St. Jude Catholic Church. Burial will follow at the Highland Cemetery. A fellowship luncheon will be held at the St. Jude Parish Center immediately after the services at the graveside. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to North Central Senior Citizens Center, 2 West Second Street Havre, MT 59501, or charity of the donor’s choice. The Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with local arrangements. James Joseph Preite was born Oct. 26, 1930, in Havre. He had four brothers and a sister born to Eugene and Emelia Preite of Havre. Jim attended Saint Jude’s grade school and Havre High School. He was inducted into the Army in 1951. Although he never mentioned it much, Jim was proud of his military service record in the Korean War. After the war ended, Jim returned to Havre to marry the love of his life, Carol Kuehni. He returned to continue work for the Great Northern Railroad and later with North Central Senior Citizens Center. Jim was very much involved with the Hill County senior community. He participated in various committee assignments and was passionate in his work with seniors. He had many friends at the Center and dearly loved his close associates, Leona Larsen, Gwen Goar, Evelyn and Duane Havskjold. Jim had a long association with softball, including men’s and women’s. He was the captain of the Havre Senior Center Pool Team(s). Jim will be greatly missed by his family and friends, as well as, everyone who had the fortune to be touched by his kindness and concern. Jim was preceded in death by his lovely wife, Carol, his brothers Frank, Pasquale, and Robert, his infant sister, and his parents, Eugene and Emelia. He is survived by his six children, Amy Preite and Clyde Doubek of Havre, Nancy (Greg) Courchane of Great Falls, Frank (Terrie) Preite of Helena, Barbara (Marvin) Russette of Havre, Laura (Mike) Peterson of Beaver Dam, Wis., and Jami (Steve) Binder of Havre; his brother Anthony (Betty) Preite of Helena; 11 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
