On February 5, 1932, in Wells County Rusland Township, James Kreiter, the 11th child of Benjamin and Elizabeth Wagner Kreiter was born. James was his mother's right hand, helping her in the kitchen, taking care of the chickens, ducks and geese and rising early in the morning to build a fire in the cook stove. It was at his mother's knee that James learned his love for Jesus, adding to his soft gentle spirit. Never once did he raise his voice in anger towards his children or grandchildren.

Jim learned the value of hard work at a young age working on his Dad's and siblings' farms milking and feeding cows, cleaning the barn, pumping water and separating cream. In the fifth grade he went to live with his Uncle Philip Wagner where he cooked and cleaned his house along with milking cows. Uncle Philip paid Jim by taking him to town on the weekend, buying him a hamburger and orange pop.

Jim attended school in the Eigenheim School #5, Goodrich Public School and St. Anna School. He fell behind in school due to working so much, but that did not slow him down. He returned to Goodrich Public School where he excelled in his love for math and graduated in 1950.

In 1950, Jim met the love of his life, Ellen Marie Fandrich. She impressed him with how she treated him with respect and kindness and with the fact that she would go muskrat hunting with him which he sold for $3.00 each. They were engaged in September 1953 with plans to get married after Ellen graduated. With the death of his mother in February of 1954, and someone needing to care for the Kreiter household, Jim and Ellen were married March 30, 1954. They lived in the Goodrich area and Lodi, CA for a short time before settling on a farm south of Manfred where they farmed and made their earthly home. Following retirement, Jim remained active assisting his son Valgene with farming.

He was a member of the Manfred Seventh-day Adventist Church and served as an elder, deacon, Sabbath school superintendent and teacher and church youth leader. He will ever be remembered for youth Bible studies and hosting numerous social events at his home. He served his community as a Delger Township supervisor and was a certified disaster relief responder.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Ellen; 3 children, Valgene (Candace) Kreiter of rural Heaton, ND, Baylen (Bette) Kreiter of Spokane Valley, WA and Tami (Kimber) Flemmer of Bismarck, ND; 7 grandchildren, Travis (Maria) Kreiter, Nathan (Kristin) Kreiter, Janae (Martin) Tilmans, Breanne Kreiter, Chelsea (John) Christensen, Seth (Joana) Flemmer and Cara (Andrew) Jones; 13 great- grand children with 1 due in October. He is also survived by 2 brothers, Archie (Elaine) Kreiter of Spirit Lake, IA and Harley (Nancy) Kreiter of Woodland, CA; and sisters-in-law, Marilyn Kreiter and Goldie Kreiter of Bismarck, ND.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents; 6 brothers, Reuben, Edwin, Clarence, Allan, Levi and Morris; and 3 sisters, Lorraine, Violet and Rose.

Jim passed away on Thursday, September 3, 2020 at the St. Aloisius Nursing Home in Harvey. His funeral will be held Tuesday, September 8 at 10:00 at the Manfred Seventh-day Adventist Church with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held Monday from 5 to 7 P.M. at the Nelson Funeral Home in Fessenden.

CDC recommendations including social distancing, hand sanitizing, wearing masks, and staying away if not feeling well are encouraged.

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