James "Jim" Lester Ulfers

James Ulfers, surrounded by loved ones, passed gently from this world January 30, 2025, in Wibaux, Montana. Born June 18, 1937 in Beach, North Dakota to Donald and Helen (Kippley) Ulfers, three sisters followed. Growing up on the farm north of Beach brought chores, play and family. Dozens of local and nearby family members often gathered for picnics and water fun at Odland's Dam, as well as Kippley family horseradish-making, holidays, and glorious fireworks. Jim attended nearby Lapla School, then went on to become active in FFA at Beach High School, graduating in 1955. In 1956, he enlisted in the army. After basic training in Arkansas, declaring it "The only place you could walk in mud up to your [derriere] while having sand blow in your face all day," he served in Korea. There, he found buried, fermented kimchi, "The [most foul] smell on earth." In 1958, Jim was honorably discharged. Upon returning to Beach, Jim began a decades-long career with Peavey Elevator. In 1959, the new fifth-grade teacher caught his eye, though Jim liked to say Mary Anne chased him down the street from the bowling alley where they first met, waving a paper with her phone number. (This is not the same story Mom told!) Jim and Mary Anne Henschel married July 21, 1960 and welcomed their first of five children the following year. When Peavey transferred Jim to Miles City in 1961, the family settled into both the social community and Sacred Heart Parish. Jim worked there until transferred back home in June of 1974. Additionally, Jim worked the small grains and sheep farm with his dad, taking over the entire operation when Donald passed in 1980. Though he spent a lifetime bemoaning the intelligence of sheep and had many conversations with the unruly black-faced ewes in particular, he took great pride in his animals. Jim often would walk the sheep pens and offer extra helpings of grain. His horse, King, was well-loved, as were several companion dogs. He also owned and operated fertilizer applications and grain-cleaning businesses. His favored activity, fishing, would occur as often as he could make time at Odland's, Camels Hump, Lake Tschida and Lake Sakakawea on guided fishing tours with Les. He enjoyed photography, with local landscapes as his favorite subject. Jim liked to play cards, teaching his daughters and a granddaughter to play pinochle and spending many hours with his wife, girls, and son-in-law around a table filled with laughs, snorts, wins and losses, and complaints about terrible hands of cards. Jim participated enthusiastically (albeit with some head-shaking at the expansive and wild creativity) with his daughters and grandchildren at the annual pumpkin festival, doing whatever his daughters asked of him, including creating a working Ferris wheel for the carnival display. He enjoyed local dances with Mary Anne, where they glided through each waltz, jitterbug, and polka. A Beach Volunteer Fire Department member, he assisted at Beach's most terrible fire disasters. A lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus and active in the Catholic Church, he served as Eucharistic minister and often led the rosary Saturday evenings. Jim is survived by Mary Anne, his wife of nearly 65 years; children Lynn Ulfers, Les (Lisa Rose) Ulfers, Leigh (Jack) Dykins, and Laura (Loren) Feldmann; grandchildren Antonio Ulfers, Samantha (Billy) McDonald, Lane, Lance (Heather) and Kelcee Dykins, Niko and Jackie Ulfers, Tessa, Tyra, Taya, and Tegan Feldmann; and great-grandchildren Lincoln, Braden, and Hadleigh Dykins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Donald and Helen; in-laws, Don and Mary Henschel; son, Lowell; grandson, Angelo Ulfers; and great-grandson, Everett Dykins. A Vigil Service will be held at 7:00 PM on Friday, February 14, 2025, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Beach. Mass of Christian Burial with Military Honors will be held at 10:30 AM on Saturday, February 15, 2025. Rite of Committal at the North Dakota Veteran’s Cemetery will take place at a later date. Silha Funeral Home of Beach has been entrusted with the arrangements. Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at: www.silhafuneralhomes.com.

James "Jim" Lester Ulfers

June 18, 1937 - January 30, 2025

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James "Jim" Lester Ulfers

June 18, 1937 - January 30, 2025

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

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