E. James "Jim" Abdnor

E. James 'Jim' Abdnor

SIOUX FALLS - Former U.S. Senator E. James "Jim" Abdnor died peacefully at the age of 89 on Wednesday, May 16, 2012, at Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls.   

Jim Abdnor was born Feb. 13, 1923, in Kennebec. He was raised in the same Kennebec home that later became his residence for most of his life. Jim was a graduate of Kennebec High School where he participated in extracurricular activities including playing basketball, baseball and football. He entered the U.S. Army and was proud to be a member of the American Legion. 

Jim was a lifetime farmer and rancher in the Kennebec area. Jim's father, Samuel Joseph Abdnor, was a Lebanese immigrant and peddler who homesteaded in Lyman County, married Jim's mother, Mary Wehby, and organized and operated a general merchandise store in Kennebec for several decades while raising Jim and his older siblings, Joseph S. Abdnor (Billie) and Marina Abdnor Ganz (Eric).

Jim's parents and siblings preceded him in death. He is survived by four nieces, Leanne Abdnor, Lynne Barnett (Steve), Suzanne Condon (Michael) and Rosemary Packard (Pat); two nephews, James Abdnor (Susan) and Eric Ganz (Linda); and 10 grandnieces and grandnephews.

Jim loved young people and sports, especially baseball. He never married or had children of his own, but he worked with and provided for young people his entire life. After graduating from the University of Nebraska in 1945, he was for several years a high school teacher and coach at Presho High School. He coached the American Legion baseball team in Kennebec and, in his later years, was an active fan and financial supporter of the American Legion Team Post 22 in Rapid City. When his success in politics carried him to Washington, D.C., Jim personally selected a continuing stream of promising South Dakota young people to serve as interns and staff, all of whom benefitted greatly from his personal mentoring and support. Many gained great prominence in South Dakota and national politics and business. His legacy of support for the youth of South Dakota is continued through an endowed scholarship at the University of South Dakota established by friends and colleagues of the Senator.

Jim's outgoing personality fostered friendship with every person he met, and his fervent interest in service to his fellow man laid the framework for a very successful political career. By age 30, he had become chairman of the South Dakota Young Republicans, and he later served as farm chairman of the Young Republican National Federation. Jim served in the South Dakota State Senate from 1956 to 1968 and was elected the state's Lieutenant Governor in 1968. He was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1972 where he served four terms until his election in 1980 to the U.S. Senate. Following his term in the U.S. Senate, in 1987 Jim was appointed head of the U.S. Small Business Administration where he became the proud national voice for small business. 

While serving in the U.S. House and Senate, Jim always kept the interests of South Dakotans first and foremost above all else. Agriculture, family farms, ranchers, water resources, veterans, the elderly and the economic viability of South Dakota's communities and businesses were his highest priorities. His committee assignments led to strong participation and leadership in the Agriculture Appropriations subcommittee, the Committees on Transportation, Veterans Affairs, Environment and Public Works and the Joint Economic Committee.

Senator Abdnor worked hard to improve the lives all South Dakotans, including being actively involved in improving several national farm bills over the years. He took particular pride in his work to achieve much-improved versions of the national farm bills. Jim was recognized as a leader in Congress creating the landmark legislation that significantly changed the way that water projects were developed and financed. This legislation improved the rights of South Dakotans to use surface and underground water throughout the State.  

Jim's greatest impact was in his quiet leadership built on integrity, truthfulness and providing the greatest good for all citizens. Congressional colleagues on both sides of the aisle trusted and respected him as he insisted on working in a bipartisan manner to find meaningful solutions to state and national problems.  

Jim Abdnor loved South Dakota and South Dakotans returned that love and respect with their support for his career of service. He touched all those who knew him in a very positive and caring way. His legacy will not be forgotten.

The papers, pictures, honors and awards of Jim have been donated to the South Dakota State Historical Society in Pierre. 

There will be a visitation, with family present, from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. CDT, with a 6 p.m. prayer service Friday, May 18, at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls.

Funeral services will be at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, May 19, in Pierre at the Lutheran Memorial Church where Senator John Thune will deliver the eulogy. Burial services will follow at 4:30 p.m. at the Kennebec Cemetery Abdnor family plot followed by a reception in the school gymnasium. 

Friends of Jim are welcome to visit http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/senatorjimabdnor to view the personal comments others about Jim and to add comments of their own.

Those wishing to make memorial contributions in his name can make them to the Abdnor Scholarship Fund at the University of South Dakota Foundation, the Greater Lyman Foundation, or the American Legion Baseball Post 22.

For obituary and online registry, please visit www.millerfh.com.