James "Jim" Jay Moseanko, 61 died September 10, 2011 in a Velva nursing home surrounded by his loving family.

Jim was born May 18, 1950, in Minot, ND to John and Agnes (Alexenko) Moseanko. He was raised on the family farm seven miles SW of Butte. As a young boy, he was active in 4-H, often sang in church, and had a passion for tying his own flies for fishing. He graduated from Butte High School in 1969.

Jim attended Union College in Lincoln, NE, then finished his education at Spartan School of Aeronautics in Tulsa, OK, earning his A/P Mechanics License.

Jim returned to ND and married Debbie Phillips on June 23, 1974 in Oxnard, CA. They raised their five children on a dairy farm nine miles SW of Butte. His love for his farm was very known to all those that knew him. Due to difficult times, the dairy operation ended in the mid 90's, and he focused on organic grain farming, and more recently organic gardening. He was very proud of his garden and especially the strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and garlic. His wife Debbie, would also spend countless hours baking breads, homemade jams, and many different kinds of baked goods. Together they would combine garden produce and fresh baked goods to be sold at farmers markets at surrounding towns.

He loved to build things from wood. Many of his bluebird houses can still be seen along roadsides today. He also loved to fish, even if it meant coming home empty-handed after a two-day stay on a frozen lake with just an ice auger, fishing rod, and his station wagon to occasionally warm up in.

Jim was an avid birdwatcher and was most proud of the Purple Martins that returned every year. After being diagnosed with brain cancer in April, Jim no longer was able to do any of the things that he loved to do. Sitting in the front yard for hours watching the Purple Martins gave him great joy.

A passion for flying was a constant in Jim's life. He had plans for building his own plane and flying it to his daughter's house in British Columbia, Canada. In the mean time, he settled for making paper airplanes and flying them with the grandkids. Anyone who knew Jim, knew that he never took the easy road. He was an extremely hard worker and will be missed by everyone who shared in his life.

His loving family includes wife of 37 years, Debbie, Butte, ND; children: Heidi (Ben) Brewer, Lumby, BC, Canada, Tammy (Darrin) Kostenko, Kongsberg, ND, Loni (Travis) Lesmeister, Tioga, ND, Eben (Maria) Moseanko, Butte, ND, and Dana (Matt) Philipenko, Fargo, ND; grandchildren: Brittney and Kelsi Brewer, Cody and MaKya Kostenko, McKenna and Ty Lesmeister, and Jaxson, Jerzee, and Tripp Philipenko; twin sister, Jeannine (Edward) Phillips, Fresno, CA; brothers: Perry (Mary) Moseanko, Butte, ND and Rich (Kathy) Moseanko, LaVerne, CA and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Jim was proceeded in death by his parents.

Funeral service : Thursday, September 15, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. in Seventh-day Adventist Church, Minot.
Family service: Wednesday, September 14, 2011 at 6:30 p.m. at the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Interment : Butte Community Cemetery, Butte, ND.
Visitation : Wednesday, September 14, 2011 from 1:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.