Suzi Stanger is a passionate philanthropist, lifelong runner, and advocate for community-driven healthcare. Originally from Twin Falls, Idaho, Suzi has called Helena home for over 20 years, where she and her husband Jim have become pillars of generosity and community engagement.​

 

A rancher and mother of two—her son is a Helena firefighter and her daughter lives in Arizona—Suzi is grounded in both family and community. Her belief in the importance of high-quality, local healthcare is intensely personal: after seeking care at St. Peter’s Health for unexplained symptoms, an MRI revealed a benign tumor on the lining of her spinal cord. “My joy cannot be expressed. My gratitude cannot be measured,” Suzi shared. Without that diagnosis, she could have faced permanent paralysis from the neck down. She credits St. Peter’s with changing the course of her life.

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Suzi and Jim Stanger have pledged $500,000 to establish the Suzi and Jim Stanger Endowment for Community-Based Services at St. Peter’s Health Foundation, providing long-term support for critical resources like medical transportation, housing assistance and basic needs. Their $50,000 matching gift during the 2025 Foundation Gala helped raise $410,000 for Pete’s Place Early Childhood Learning Center.

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Their philanthropy extends beyond healthcare. The Stangers have supported Helena Food Share, the Helena Symphony, Rocky Mountain Development Council, Helena Education Foundation, and numerous youth, sports and arts programs across Helena. Their example reflects a life of purpose and generosity for the place they call home.​

 

Suzi believes that “a community needs good healthcare”—and she’s proud to serve on the St. Peter’s Health Foundation Board to help ensure that all Helena residents have access to the exceptional care that changed her own life. With hopefulness and gratitude, she brings her perspective and compassion to St. Peter’s Health’s important work.