James Vetter

Jim Vetter, 74, passed peacefully on November 16, 2025, at his Minot home surrounded by his family. He had battled cancer bravely for several years and suffered through every treatment and side effect. Even as his cancer grew and spread, he believed if he followed his cancer protocol, he could stay present with his family a little longer.

James Michael was born on February 16, 1951, to Lawrence and Clara (Bechtold) Vetter at St. Joseph's Hospital in Minot, ND. He was about an eleven-pound baby, so they called him Jack Dempsey of the nursery!

He was educated in Minot, ND attending St. Leo's Catholic School followed by Bishop Ryan School, before attending Minot State College pursuing a teaching degree. He wanted to earn a living, so he left college and joined the workforce as a trucker at Coca Cola and later Cloverdale Foods Co.

In 1977 he married Darlene Wickenhauser, a native of Canada; a marriage that lasted 48 years. In 1982 they were thrilled by the birth of their only child, a daughter Tenelle (Dan Smith), Burlington, ND. She blessed them with three grandsons, Kaidan Smith (Emily Houim) of Bismarck, ND and Caleb and Mason Smith, both residing at home in Burlington.

Jim loved those boys and from infancy to adulthood he was always active in their lives. They rode bikes and scooters, played board games, basketball, and did everything the boys were interested in doing.

In 1990 Jim accepted a sales job at Ryan Chevrolet and a few years later became their Parts Manager. He loved the job and the company and always had the highest praise for management and the employees of Ryan Family Dealerships. He was recognized by the Chevrolet Management Group for running the number one Parts Department for fifteen straight years. Everybody wants a successful Parts Manager like Jim.

Jim was a gentle, kind and very skilled man. After the flood of 2011 he rebuilt his house, and other than drywall install he did all the framing, plumbing, and electrical totally himself and passed all state inspections.

Jim was a good man and will be missed terribly by his family, his work family, and many friends.

Jim's family also includes his brother Larry Vetter of Minot and his son Jeremy, sister June Vetter of Minot and her son Broch, and sister Alice Vetter of Washington state, and Gale and Alvin Carow's daughters Mikki Paterson of Bismarck and Melissa Carow of Philadelphia.

Jim's family from Canada includes brother- and sister-in-law Wayne and Jayne Mierke, Humboldt, SK and their children Michael (Joline) Mierke of Airdrie, AB, Lee Mierke (Kevin Pryce) of Saskatoon, SK and Amy (Kurt) Scheiner of Leroy, SK along with numerous great-nieces and nephews.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, baby sister Susan Eve, sister Patti, and sister and brother-in-law Gale and Alvin Carow.

Mass of Christian Burial: 2:00 p.m. Friday, November 21, 2025, at St. John The Apostle Catholic Church.
Inurnment will be held at a later date.
Visitation: Thursday, November 20th, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot with a Vigil Prayer Service to begin at 7:00 p.m.