James Arthur Hollensteiner

James (Jim) Arthur Hollensteiner passed away peacefully at his Barrington, Illinois home on March 9, 2025. Born August 15, 1931, in Chicago, Illinois, he was one of two children of the late Dorothy and Franz Walter Hollensteiner. Jim’s beloved wife of 61 years, Wanda, preceded him in death in 2020. Together, they are survived by their five children: Lisa Hollensteiner, James Hollensteiner (Diane Winnard), Jena Hollensteiner Armistead (Pend Armistead), John Hollensteiner (Melanie Dardis), and Andrew Hollensteiner. He is also survived by grandchildren Logan, Connor, Thomas, Andrew, Matthew, Walt, Will, and Anna; step-grandchildren Scott, Sarah, Maddie and Emily; two great-grandchildren Amelia and Naomi; and a nephew, William Hollensteiner.

Throughout his life, Jim maintained a quest for knowledge. He attended North Park Academy, where he served as class president, then went on to DePauw University, where he majored in Economics, was a proud member of Beta Theta Pi Fraternity, and graduated with distinction. He later earned his MBA at Northwestern University and a law degree at Chicago Kent School of Law, maintaining his Illinois Bar Association license until the age of 91.

Jim was a stellar athlete, competing in track, basketball, and football. In high school, he was known as “the speediest end in the state,” and at DePauw, he was undefeated in every individual track race. He was inducted into the DePauw Athletic Hall of Fame, and in 2007, the James A. Hollensteiner Indoor Track was dedicated in his honor. During his junior year, he attended Exeter University in England, where he excelled on the rugby pitch. In 2024, the James A. Hollensteiner Rugby Pitch was named in his honor. He was also selected to the All-England Universities Athletic Track Team. In his later years, he participated in the Senior Track Olympics, at one point ranking in the top three in his age group in the country. Jim was also the founding member and instructor of the O Ben Sens Water Ski School in Rollins, MT, where his signature move was lifting one ski and one hand while skiing.

Jim was known for his strong will, unwavering determination, and tireless work ethic. From an early age, he herded sheep, set up bowling pins, picked cherries, sold war bonds, and worked in a grocery store. Most notably, he worked as a paperboy for nine years and was named Chicago “Newsboy of the Year.”

Jim made his most prominent professional mark in the field of finance. For 35 years, he worked for the national trade organization for Savings and Loans. He played a key role in crafting banking legislation, creating products and services that are common today, including CDs and IRAs. He was instrumental in standardizing mortgage loan documents across all 50 states. Frequently called to Washington, D.C., he collaborated with three sitting U.S. presidents—Lyndon Johnson, Richard Nixon, and Gerald Ford—and served on President Johnson's task force for lower-income housing. His expertise was widely recognized in the industry.

Despite his many accomplishments, family and friends were most important to Jim. His spirit inspired his children to embrace life’s opportunities and challenges, and he was dedicated to ensuring his children were well-educated, successful in their pursuits, appreciative of different cultures, and committed to their communities. Jim loved attending his children’s and grandchildren’s sporting events, sometimes driving hours just to watch a race lasting only seconds or minutes. He had friends of all ages and walks of life, many of whom were a recipient of a poinsettia at holiday time.

Jim was also devoted to his community and country. He was incredibly proud to have served in the United States Army. As a Rotarian, he held the distinction of being the oldest member of Rotary One in Chicago, the first Rotary Club in the world, where he advocated for women being added to the membership. Jim and Wanda established the James and Wanda Hollensteiner Foundation, contributing to numerous causes, including the Chicago Lyric Opera, Lambs Farm, Royal Family Kids’ Camp, and Night Ministry amongst others.

Jim spent most of his time in his later years on Flathead Lake in Montana, where he welcomed friends and family.

The world is a better place because he was here. He will be deeply missed.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to one of Jim's supported charities: Northwest Montana History Museum, the Flathead Lakers, or the Wanda Hollensteiner Art Gallery at Flathead Valley Community College. Memorial services in Montana and Illinois to be announced.