James Devitt

James L. Devitt, 84, Elkhorn, NE, formerly Horace, ND, died Monday, January 2, 2012, at the Eastern Nebraska Veterans Home after a courageous battle with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. He was born in Lisbon, ND, the son of James and Wilhelmina Devitt. He was raised and attended school there. At the age of 17, he enlisted in the Navy and took his naval training at Great Lakes Naval Training Center. He served as a Coxswain in the Asiatic Pacific area from February 1945 to August of 1946. He returned to Lisbon, ND, and on December 20, 1946, he was united in marriage to Dolores Mae Jorgenson at Trinity Lutheran Church, Lisbon, ND. Jim worked as a Euclid Operator on the Garrison Dam and later returned to Lisbon and farmed for a short time. In 1949, he and his family moved to the state of Washington where he was employed on a large dairy. He was a farmer at heart and always enjoyed working with cattle and other farm animals. He loved rodeos, winter shows, and visiting cattle barns at fairs. In 1951, he and his family returned to North Dakota, and he was employed by Armour and Company until they closed. He started the first Drivers' Training School in Fargo and also sold insurance for a short time. He then went to work for Siouxland Dressed Beef and Needham Packing for 12 years and retired after 12 years with Steiger Tractor Co. He was a dedicated, hard worker and very active in union leadership. During this time, he also raised and sold cattle and sheep. Jim was a long-time member of Faith Lutheran Church in West Fargo and served as an usher there. He also served as usher at the Walcott Lutheran Church when they lived there for four years. Upon returning to Horace, he and his wife became members of Hope Lutheran Church, Fargo, ND. He was also a lifetime member of VFW Post 7564, West Fargo. In his later years, he loved grooming his yard, growing a garden, reading, and especially enjoyed visits from his grandchildren and great grandchildren. In 2007, he and his wife moved to Nebraska to be closer to their daughter and son-in-law. He is survived by his wife Dolores, of 65 years; daughter, Cheryl (Allen) Northrop, Omaha, NE; son, Randy Devitt, Elkhorn, NE; grandchildren, Lt. Col. Christopher (Brenda) Northrop, Maryland, Matthew (Amy) Northrop, Rochester, MN, Seth (Michaela) Northrop, Plymouth, MN, and Courtney (Scott) Schmidt, Mesa, AZ; eleven great grandchildren; siblings, Ethel Anderson, Lisbon, ND, Elaine (Ervin) Anderson and brother, Laurence Devitt, Lisbon, ND; sister-in-law, Ann Devitt and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a son, Michael Devitt, who died at birth; sister, Christine Jensen; brothers, Michael Devitt and Raymond Devitt; sisters-in-law, Mary Ellen Devitt and Delores Devitt; brothers-in-law, Harvey Jensen and Edmund Anderson. Memorial Service: Saturday, January 21, 2011 at 10 AM at West Funeral Home Chapel, West Fargo, ND with visitation one hour prior and reception to follow. Final Resting Place: Oakwood Cemetery, Lisbon. Condolences may be sent online - westfuneralhome.com