Forbes, N.D.: Mass of Christian burial for James "Jim" Brokaw, 80, of rural Forbes will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 13, 2012, at St. Helena's Catholic Church in Ellendale. The Rev. John Kizito will officiate.
Burial in Ellendale City Cemetery.
Visitation will be Friday from 5 to 7 p.m., with a rosary at 6:45 p.m. and a liturgical wake service at 7 p.m. at the church.
Jim died Oct. 9, 2012, at his home with his wife of 60 years at his side.
Jim was born on Sept. 20, 1932, in Oak Gulch Township, Day County, to Lloyd and Ann (Sjerven) Brokaw. He grew up near Bristol and worked with his dad doing custom haying. In 1946, they moved to a farm near Forbes. He graduated from Forbes in 1949, obtained a teaching certificate from Ellendale College, and taught in a rural school near Long Lake.
He was united in marriage to E. Joanne Ladd on Sept. 6, 1952, at St. Helena's Catholic Church. In 1959, they moved their family to Spring Valley Township, where they ranched and raised their nine children.
He was an avid baseball player and he pitched for the Forbes' amateur team. Time spent playing was some of the most enjoyable times of his life. He loved watching the Twins play every chance he got; he and Joanne celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at a Twins game. Jim had a great love for horses, teaching and kids, and stayed involved by serving as a 4-H leader for many years. He worked with kids passing on what he knew whenever he had the chance.
Another interest that he dedicated his time to was quarter horses and horse shows. He was a member of Maud Evans Saddle Club and he took the family to horse shows and rodeos on weekends, between milking cows. A trip to the N.D. State Fair every year was a highlight. He also raised border collies and spent hours training them as cattle dogs.
Jim was a member of the Democratic NPL party, was a precinct committeeman and served as a legislator for District 28 for 14 years. He was a long time member of ND Farmers Union; he served as Dickey County Farmers Union President for several years.
Jim is survived by his wife, Joanne; nine children: Greg (Mary Kay), Ashley; Kim (Cheryl), Ellendale; Kevin (Jackie), Forbes; Kay (Keith) Kronberg, Forbes; Lois Baer, Ellendale; Mary Jo (Norm) Fries, Steele; Carol (Doug) Kindelspire, Leola; Lynn Brokaw (Tom Samson), Bismarck; and Lloyd Brokaw (Mark), Crookston, Minn.; 25 grandchildren; and 22 great-grandchildren; one brother, Leslie (Geraldine) Brokaw, Renton, Wash.; and two sisters: Lucille Meyer, Spokane, Wash., and Joanne Merkel, Forbes.
He was preceded in death by one grandson, Brad Brokaw; great-grandchild, Eleanor Fries; and two sisters: Marion Hutman, Denver, Colo., and Betty Olson, Bristol.
Casketbearers will be Jim's grandsons. Gift bearers will be Jim's granddaughters. The organist is Mavis Breitag and special music by Afton and Brett Samson. The lectors will be Norm and Mary Jo Fries.
Carlsen Funeral Home of Ellendale has been entrusted with the arrangements.
carlsenfh.com