Laverne "James" Brese
Laverne James Brese, 80, of Billings died in
faith and trust in his Lord, Jesus Christ, early Monday evening,
October 26, at his home surrounded by his family following a battle
with leukemia.
Jim was born October 10, 1929 in Culbertson,
MT to Alexander and Mary Maier Brese. He was raised and educated in
Laurel. Graduating from Laurel High School in 1947, Jim played in
the inaugural East-West Shrine Game August 23, 1947.
Jim married the love of his life, Eleanor
Heimbichner in Laurel on March 4, 1950 in St John’s Lutheran Church
in Laurel. They were married 42 years, until Eleanor’s passing on
April 10, 1992. Together they raised two sons, Ken and Gary, and a
daughter, Jane in Billings.
He worked for Northern Pacific and
Burlington Northern Railroad for 24 years in Billings and Laurel.
Jim worked several years with his cousin,
Clarence Weiss, at Western Pump and Meter. Jim started LJ Brese
Construction in 1972, building and remodeling homes, dairy, and farm
structures in Billings and surrounding communities. He stayed active
in his work through 2007. Jim made friends of his many customers,
and was very good at “field engineering” to meet his customer’s
needs. Folks appreciated his sense of humor, and straightforward
advice on construction matters. Jim enjoyed card games, especially
pinochle, spending time with friends and family, and reading.
Jim was a lifelong active member in the
Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod raised in St. John’s in Laurel,
transferring membership to Mt Olive, in Billings in 1960 when he
built a house in the Billings Heights. Jim served on boards,
including a building committee, and helped in the remodel an
addition to Mt. Olive in 1982.
He is survived by 3 children, Ken (Donna)
Brese of Pocatello, ID, Gary Brese of Billings, and Jane Brese of
Billings; four sisters, Charlotte Ruff (Dave) and Mary Lynn Wagner
(Dennis) of Laurel, Betty Goick of Fargo, and Bonnie Baird (Hugh) of
Worland, WY; one brother, Larry “Sonny” (Nell) of Chipley, FL;
sisters-in-law, Marion Heimbichner and Pat Dunbar of Billings;
Brothers-in-Law Lyle Rupp of Tucson, AZ, and Tom Dunbar of Billings.
Also surviving are 8 grandchildren, Melanie (Mike) Jensen, Billings,
Zach (Mandi) Brese, Fredrick CO, Derek (Chrissy) Brese, Billings,
Jeremiah (Carina) Hale, Billings, Claire (Marc) Dearing, Billings,
Jim (Carrie) Buckman, Sioux Falls, SD, Chris (Crystal) Buckman,
Billings, and Heather Sanders, Glasgow, MT; 12 Great Grand Children,
and numerous Nieces and Nephews.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents,
Eleanor’s parents Jake and Marie Heimbichner, sisters-in-law
Lorraine Davey and Dorothy Rupp; and brothers-in-law Jim Heimbichner
and Bob Davey.
Visitation will begin 2pm Thursday at
Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary. Funeral services will be held at 1:30
p.m. Friday, October 30, in Mount Olive Lutheran Church. Interment
will be in Sunset Memorial Gardens.
Memorials may be sent to Mount Olive
Lutheran Church, Billings Clinic Cancer Center, or RiverStone Health
Hospice.
Remembrances
Please leave your name and remembrance in this public guest book. Your comments will be shared on this page and forwarded to the family.
Well, Heaven has gained a saint and there is one less here on earth. For 35 years whenever we had a tough remodel problem on the farm or at our home the answer was to call Jim. Jim always had a solution, and treating us fairly was a foregone conclusion. With his talent and work ethic, he could have been very rich, but that didn't seem important to him. It is so wonderful he is back with Eleanor again. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.
God Bless,
Mike and Lorrie Bernhardt
Jim was a great man who loved his family and welcomed everyone. He will be greatly missed. We love you Grandpa Jim.
Jim, Keri, Alayna, and Haylie Buckman
To the Brese Family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this difficult time. May your love and memories help in your healing process.
Tim & Shirley Guiberson
What a great sense of humor! I will never forget Jim giving his grandsons, Zach and Derek their first nicknames, Zeke and Deke. Jim was a very special grandfather. I will also always appreciate the support he, Gary and Jane gave me with the passing of my Mother. May the family be comforted by my thoughts and prayers.
Willeen Brese Gooselaw