James A. “Jim” Holland
courtesy photo
James Holland
CAMAS PRAIRIE — Few people are able to live a dream — Jim Holland was privileged to be one of those few.
James A. “Jim” Holland, age 83, passed away Saturday, Nov. 30, 2013, at Brendan House in Kalispell. Jim was born to James P. and Margaret (Nell) Ellen Kiely on Dec. 17, 1929. He was the youngest of four sons. He grew up on the family farm/ranch on Camas Prairie doing the work that he loved. Jim attended Camas Prairie School and graduated from Hot Springs High School with the class of 1947.
On Nov. 26, 1960, Jim married Therese Marie Quirk, “Lamb,” at the Immaculate Conception Church in Butte. They spent their life together, continuing to build and expand the ranch while raising their four children. Jim’s last active day of work on the ranch was spent riding horseback and chasing cows. On Nov. 1 he was suddenly hospitalized. He left his work and this world on Nov. 30 when he passed away from complications of a stroke following heart surgery. Those 30 days were the longest period of time that he had spent away from his beloved home on the “Prairie.”
Family, friends and all who did business with him, will remember Jim as honest, sincere and a man of integrity. He was a true steward of the land and of sustainable ranching practices. He loved his family. He lived and loved His faith, thanking God always for His blessings. Ranching was not just work to him, it was his way of life … the fulfillment of his vision.
Jim’s parents; his three brothers—Tom, Bill (Mary Ellen), Joe (Muriel) and his cousin Jack Marrinan who was considered another brother preceded him in death.
Surviving is his wife of 53 years, Therese; his daughter Monica Holland and Lane Robinson and their children Madelaine, Meredith, Maeve, Margaret Ellen and Grant; daughter Teresa Ellen and Todd Morigeau and their children: Terez’a (Kevin) Hanson, Ted and Tucker; daughter Janet and Yogi Fjeseth and their children Andrew (Blair), and Ellie; son Jim and Ginny and their children: Nate, Ben and Jimmy and great-grandson Sven James Fjeseth. Also surviving Jim are his sister-in-law Betty Holland and Marvel Marrinan as well as the many nieces and nephews that he so loved.
A Catholic Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated on Saturday, Dec. 7, at 11 a.m. at Sacred Heart Mission in Hot Springs. At 1 p.m. the funeral procession will depart from the Camas Prairie gym to the family cemetery for burial at the Holland Ranch. A reception celebrating Jim’s life will be held at the Camas Prairie gym following the burial. The family requests that memorials be made in honor of Jim Holland to the Camas Prairie Neighbors fund, c/o Dale Neiman, 250 Camas Creek Road, Plains, MT 59859, or a donor of your choice.
The family wishes to extend their utmost gratitude to Brendan House for the care given to Jim during his last days there. Dr. Leah Carlburg and the staff of Glacier Pod were outstanding to Jim and to our family and we consider them a Godsend.
Jim was the true definition of a rancher — having faith in God, the weather and cattle prices. Godspeed…we love you. Messages of condolences may be shared with the family online at: www.groganfuneralhome.com.
