Father Jim Birkmaier

Rev. James (Jim) E. Birkmaier, 83, died March 8, 2023, in Great Falls, MT, at Renaissance Assisted Living after a long illness.

Father Birkmaier was born on November 27, 1939 in Mandan, North Dakota. His parents were Eugene F. Birkmaier and Elizabeth (Gartner) Birkmaier. He spent most of his youth in Wolf Point, Montana, but graduated from Mandan High School in 1957. He attended St. Edward and St. Thomas Sulpician Seminaries of the Northwest in Kenmore, Washington. He was ordained on May 18, 1968.

Father Birkmaier’s first brief assignment was at Sacred Heart Church in Miles City as assistant pastor. In 1969 he was assigned as an associate priest at St. Ann Cathedral in Great Falls, and then as associate priest at St. Matthew’s Church in Sidney in 1970. In 1972, he was appointed pastor of St. Theresa’s Church in Lambert.

In 1973, he was transferred to Great Falls to serve as co-pastor of Sts. Peter and Paul Church, and later that year moved to Glasgow to be co-pastor of St. Raphael Church. He joined the pastoral team at St. Leo’s Church in Lewistown in 1979.

In 1982, he began his service as pastor of Immaculate Conception Church in Wolf Point, and then, in 1986, he returned to Great Falls as Catholic Chaplain at Columbus Hospital. He touched many people in his ministry of care during the fifteen years he held this position. His last parish assignment was as pastor of Immaculate Conception Church in Fort Benton from 2001 to 2004.

He had a tremendous zest for life and enjoyed food and fellowship with fellow priests, religious, and laity who toiled alongside him in the vineyard of the Lord. He greatly enjoyed playing golf and other outdoor activities, especially hiking the River’s Edge Trail in Great Falls.