James Montonye

James Montonye, age 74, of Wheaton, Minnesota passed away Thursday, January 4, 2018 at Sanford Hospital in Fargo, North Dakota.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, January 9, 2018 at 2:30 p.m. at Ave Maria Catholic Church in Wheaton with Fr. John Paul Knopik Celebrant. Organist will be Cindy Sanasack with special music provided by the Ave Maria Catholic Church Choir.

Visitation will be held Tuesday afternoon from 1:00 p.m. until service time at the church. Burial will be in Wildwood Cemetery, Wheaton at a later date. Honorary Pallbearers will be Jim's grandchildren and the Wheaton Fire Department.

James Earl Montonye was born February 26, 1943 at his home in Traverse County to Earl and Nora (Siltman) Montonye. He graduated from Wheaton High School and then attended NDSSS for a year.

He moved back to Wheaton and married Shirley Stueve on June 15, 1963. He began working at Traverse Coop Oil shortly after and worked there for forty-one years until he retired.

Jim loved to be on the go and did many different jobs to keep himself busy. He volunteered for the Wheaton Fire Department for twenty-three years and was chief for several years. He helped his family farm, drove trucks for the Wheaton-Dumont Elevator and mowed ditches for the county. In his free time he enjoyed watching all sporting events, camping and fishing, deer hunting, bowling, going for coffee with friends and family, and he loved joking with everyone.

James is survived by his wife Shirley of Wheaton; sons Brian (Linda) Montonye of Wheaton; and Michael (Chris) Montonye of West Fargo, ND; daughters: Debra (John) Grabinger of Jamestown, ND; Mary (Brian) Ketterling of Wheaton; and LeAnn (Brent) Cardwell of Wheaton; grandchildren: David, Tim, Corey, Megan, Gavyn, Andrew, Travis, Whitney and Alexis; and seventeen great-grandchildren.

James was preceded in death by his parents Earl and Nora Montonye; and his sister Norma Maiers and her husband.