James Bennett Stafslien , 82, died on May 7, 2018 in a Minot nursing home.

Jim was born on September 10, 1935 on the family farm near Makoti ND to Ben and Mabel (Nygard) Stafslien. He was reared on the family farm in Orlien Township of Ward county west of Makoti. He graduated for Makoti High School in 1953 and attended North Dakota Agricultural College. Jim enlisted in the U.S. Navy on July 1, 1956 and he served aboard a minesweeper in the Pacific prior to his honorable discharge on Nov 10, 1957. He returned to ND and graduated from North Dakota State University in 1960 with a degree in Agriculture.

Jim married Kay Markwardt on February17, 1967 at Lakeland, Fla. They made their home on the Stafslien family farm where they raised small grains, cattle, and pigs. During the winter months they resided in Florida where Jim was employed by the USDA as a fruit inspector. They moved in Makoti in 1973 but continued farming.

Jim was a lifelong member of Hope Lutheran Church, serving on the church council and Prairie Rose Parish Council. He served as mayor of Makoti and on the town council. He was president of the Makoti Threshing Show and a member of the North Shore School Board. He served as the Ward County Commissioner, on the Ward County Centennial Committee and the All Seasons Arena Board.

Jim loved fishing and camping and when the Van Hook Arm opened up property for lease he made many new friends there. He loved golfing and went every chance he could. After retiring from farming he began signing with the Nodakords Barbershop Chorus in Minot. He never missed going to the Blue Rider after practice for more singing.

Jim and Kay loved to travel as a family and spent many retirement winters in south Texas and with their daughter and granddaughter in Arlington, TX.

Jim's loving family includes his wife of 51 years: Kay; children: Beverly Byers of Arlington, TX and Mark Stafslien of Makoti; granddaughter: Alexandra Byers; siblings: Derris (Lois) Stafslien of Minot and Twyla Erb of Richfield, MN; sister-in-law: Doris Stafslien of Keller, TX and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings: Myron Stafslien and Pearl Hackett and brothers-in-law Ben Hackett and LeRoy Erb.

Celebration of the Life of James Stafslien: Thursday, June 21, 2018 at 1:30 p.m. in Hope Lutheran Church, Makoti.
Interment with military honors will be at Hope Lutheran Cemetery-Makoti.
Memorials are preferred to an organization of the donor's choice.