James Clayton Tufte

James Clayton Tufte, 73, of York, ND, passed away peacefully, Monday September 22, 2025, at his home, on the farmstead he built and loved.  Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM Monday, September29, 2025 at the Leeds Lutheran Church in Leeds, ND with Pastor Sharon Baker officiating.  Visitation will begin one hour prior to the service at the church.   Burial will be at the St. Petri Lutheran Cemetery in rural York, ND, following the reception at the church.

James was born on June 9, 1952, the birthday he shared with his maternal grandfather and his daughter, to P.B. “Bennie” and Fern (Crum) Tufte, in Rugby, ND.

Jim attended the York Public School through year eight, and then attended Leeds Public School, graduating in 1970.  After high school he attended and graduated from the Wyoming Technical Institute with a degree in auto mechanics, then returned home to farm.  Jim married Diane Kjelmyr on October 23, 1971, at the Leeds Lutheran Church in Leeds.  Following his father’s farm accident, he took over the farming operation at the age of 19; he was still farming at the time of his death.  Together Jim and Diane welcomed three children, Carly, Jennifer and Benjamin.

Jim was baptized at St. Petri Lutheran Church in rural York, where he remained an active member his entire life until the churches closing in 2012, and then started attending Leeds Lutheran Church.  Throughout that time at St. Petri, he held several offices.  Jim served his community holding a seat on the Twin Lake Township board for many years and a term for the York Farmers Union Board.  He belonged to the Fish Lake and Harlow Wildlife clubs and helped and served many suppers in the Harlow Hall.

Jim loved to tell jokes, visit in person and on the telephone with countless friends and he loved to spend time with his grandchildren.  He could repair anything that needed repair; he was a master mechanic.  

Jim worked hard on the farm all his life.  He was always working on things in the shop and could fix or build anything.  He learned how to play piano in his childhood and played guitar and banjo.  He loved to sit down and play music for his children when they were young and later for his grandchildren.

He was also a cattleman and owned several horses over the years.  He built a covered wagon which his team pulled in the Leeds York centennial celebration in 1986.

Jim is survived by his wife, Diane Tufte; children, Carly Tufte, Jennifer (Tim) Litzinger, Ben (Carrie) Tuftte; grandchildren, Conner Litzinger, Hannah Litzinger, Jack Litzinger, Andrew Schenck, Abigail Schenck, Olivia Tufte, Isabel Tufte and Emma Tufte; siblings, Paul (Karen) Tufte, Bonnie Duchscher and Gary (Tammy) Tufte; brother-in-law, John Kjelmyr; several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by an infant son; his parents, P.B. and Fern Tufte; his mother and father-in-law, Philip and Julia Kjelmyr; brother-in-law, Carl Duchscher; several aunts and uncles.