James Kratcha

James C. Kratcha, 89, of Hankinson, ND passed away on October 30, 2024 at Sanford Health in Fargo, ND.
He was born February 25, 1935 at Cayuga, North Dakota to Art and Clara (Woytassek) Kratcha. He grew up in the Geneseo and Cayuga area and attended country school in Hamlin. After his schooling, he worked for a gravel hauling business and also did construction work for five years. He married Loyola Schonhoff and together they had four children. In 1957, Jim went to work as a lineman for RSR in Milnor. In 1971, he moved to Hankinson and continued his employment with RSR, retiring in 1988. He married Lois Medenwald in September of 1972. She died on May 10, 2009. Jim enjoyed hunting, fishing and doing yard work.
He is survived by three sons, Don (Marie) Kratcha, Rick Kratcha and Roger Kratcha; a daughter, Debbe Ellefson, Milnor; step-children, Nancy (Brandan) Hentz, Lisa (Michael) King, Kenneth "Spike" (Rhonda) Medenwald, Jeff (Shannon) Medenwald, Terry (Roxann) Medenwald, and Joel (Jill) Medenwald; brother, Lyle (Sharda) Kratcha; and several grandchildren; great-grandchildren; step-grandchildren; and step-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Lois, brothers Archie and Emery, sister, Marion Schonhoff, grandson Brian Kratcha, son-in-law Steve Ellefson, and nephew Lynn Kratcha.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Friday, November 15, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. at Dahlstrom Funeral Home in Milnor. He will be buried next to his wife Lois at Calvary Cemetery near Hankinson.