James Smykowski, 87 of Lidgerwood, ND., passed away Thursday, December 9, 2021, at St. Catherine's South, Fargo, ND. Visitation will be Tuesday, December 14, 2021, from 5:00 - 7:15 p.m., followed by the prayer service at 7:15 p.m., at the Frank Family Funeral Home, Lidgerwood, ND. Visitation will continue on Wednesday, December 15, 2021, from 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m., followed by the funeral mass at 10:30 a.m., at St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church, Geneseo, ND. Burial will be in St. Martin's Cemetery.
James George Smykowski (often called "Big Jim"), was born July 9, 1934, to George and Kathryn Smykowski. He grew up in rural Geneseo, North Dakota, on a family farm with seven siblings and attended rural grade school in Herman Township. He graduated from Lidgerwood Public High School in 1952.
On May 3, 1956, Jim married Annette Olson. Together, Jim and Annette, were blessed with seven children and raised their family on a diversified farm north of Geneseo, close to the farmstead where he was raised. Jim also worked as a Real Estate Broker and owned and operated Smykowski Auction, for 55 years. His auction skills were not only used in business, but he also showed his generosity by donating his services to a variety of organizations such as Pheasants Forever, Bison Bidder Bowl, and many others.
A word that described Jim to his core, was "ambitious." He was a leader in the community serving on the Lidgerwood School Board, the Lidgerwood Community Development Corporation, the Board of Directors for Dakota Estates, the Geneseo Grain and Seed Company Board of Directors, the First Bank of Lidgerwood Board, the Lidgerwood Swimming Pool Association, and the 4-H Foundation. He was also actively involved with St. Martin Church, the Elks, the Eagles, the Knights of Columbus (becoming a 4th degree Knight), the Golden Growers, El Zagal Shrine and the Masonic Lodge.
In addition to his community involvement, Jim was actively involved in politics in a variety of roles, such as Precinct Committeeman and District Chairman. This involvement brought him all the way to serving as District State Senator, from 1974-1980, and being a United States Congressional candidate in 1980. As a State Senator for District 26, Jim served on the State and Federal Committee, the Agriculture Committee, the Political Subdivisions, Appropriations, and the State Law Enforcement Council.
Jim also knew how to enjoy the life given to him. He had friends everywhere and knew everyone. He never passed up a card game, but in his true competitive spirit, he was somewhat fussy about his partner. (In fact, his children still have memories of waking up to the pounding of dice or him still playing cards, with his friends, from the previous night, while they were getting ready for school.) He loved gardening and grew produce that benefited people statewide. He had a knack for making sausage and was never afraid to crack a beer. He also showed great generosity and pride in his kids' and grandkids' activities, driving thousands of miles to cheer them on, in the stands.
Jim is survived by Annette, his loving wife of 65 years; son, Kenneth of Lidgerwood, ND.; son: Kevin of Lisbon, ND.; son, Dennis (Constance) of Lidgerwood, ND.; son, Robert of La Junta, CO.; daughter, Candia of Irrigon, OR.; daughter, Patricia (David Jacobson) of Fargo, ND.; brother, Donald (Kay) of Lee's Summit, MO.; sister, JoAnne Lipp of Breckenridge, MN.; brother, Joseph (Shirley) of Lidgerwood, ND.; Stanley (Sharon) of Lidgerwood, ND.; sister, Mary (Tom Klubberud) of Fargo, ND.; seven grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, George and Kathryn; son, Anthony; sister, Carol Baldwin; brother, David Smykowski; daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Smykowski; and numerous aunts and uncles.
Source: Frank Funeral Home Obituary
Contributor: Gregory Dorr
James George Smykowski (often called "Big Jim"), was born July 9, 1934, to George and Kathryn Smykowski. He grew up in rural Geneseo, North Dakota, on a family farm with seven siblings and attended rural grade school in Herman Township. He graduated from Lidgerwood Public High School in 1952.
On May 3, 1956, Jim married Annette Olson. Together, Jim and Annette, were blessed with seven children and raised their family on a diversified farm north of Geneseo, close to the farmstead where he was raised. Jim also worked as a Real Estate Broker and owned and operated Smykowski Auction, for 55 years. His auction skills were not only used in business, but he also showed his generosity by donating his services to a variety of organizations such as Pheasants Forever, Bison Bidder Bowl, and many others.
A word that described Jim to his core, was "ambitious." He was a leader in the community serving on the Lidgerwood School Board, the Lidgerwood Community Development Corporation, the Board of Directors for Dakota Estates, the Geneseo Grain and Seed Company Board of Directors, the First Bank of Lidgerwood Board, the Lidgerwood Swimming Pool Association, and the 4-H Foundation. He was also actively involved with St. Martin Church, the Elks, the Eagles, the Knights of Columbus (becoming a 4th degree Knight), the Golden Growers, El Zagal Shrine and the Masonic Lodge.
In addition to his community involvement, Jim was actively involved in politics in a variety of roles, such as Precinct Committeeman and District Chairman. This involvement brought him all the way to serving as District State Senator, from 1974-1980, and being a United States Congressional candidate in 1980. As a State Senator for District 26, Jim served on the State and Federal Committee, the Agriculture Committee, the Political Subdivisions, Appropriations, and the State Law Enforcement Council.
Jim also knew how to enjoy the life given to him. He had friends everywhere and knew everyone. He never passed up a card game, but in his true competitive spirit, he was somewhat fussy about his partner. (In fact, his children still have memories of waking up to the pounding of dice or him still playing cards, with his friends, from the previous night, while they were getting ready for school.) He loved gardening and grew produce that benefited people statewide. He had a knack for making sausage and was never afraid to crack a beer. He also showed great generosity and pride in his kids' and grandkids' activities, driving thousands of miles to cheer them on, in the stands.
Jim is survived by Annette, his loving wife of 65 years; son, Kenneth of Lidgerwood, ND.; son: Kevin of Lisbon, ND.; son, Dennis (Constance) of Lidgerwood, ND.; son, Robert of La Junta, CO.; daughter, Candia of Irrigon, OR.; daughter, Patricia (David Jacobson) of Fargo, ND.; brother, Donald (Kay) of Lee's Summit, MO.; sister, JoAnne Lipp of Breckenridge, MN.; brother, Joseph (Shirley) of Lidgerwood, ND.; Stanley (Sharon) of Lidgerwood, ND.; sister, Mary (Tom Klubberud) of Fargo, ND.; seven grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, George and Kathryn; son, Anthony; sister, Carol Baldwin; brother, David Smykowski; daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Smykowski; and numerous aunts and uncles.
Source: Frank Funeral Home Obituary
Contributor: Gregory Dorr
James Smykowski, 87 of Lidgerwood, ND., passed away Thursday, December 9, 2021, at St. Catherine's South, Fargo, ND. Visitation will be Tuesday, December 14, 2021, from 5:00 - 7:15 p.m., followed by the prayer service at 7:15 p.m., at the Frank Family Funeral Home, Lidgerwood, ND. Visitation will continue on Wednesday, December 15, 2021, from 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m., followed by the funeral mass at 10:30 a.m., at St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church, Geneseo, ND. Burial will be in St. Martin's Cemetery.
James George Smykowski (often called "Big Jim"), was born July 9, 1934, to George and Kathryn Smykowski. He grew up in rural Geneseo, North Dakota, on a family farm with seven siblings and attended rural grade school in Herman Township. He graduated from Lidgerwood Public High School in 1952.
On May 3, 1956, Jim married Annette Olson. Together, Jim and Annette, were blessed with seven children and raised their family on a diversified farm north of Geneseo, close to the farmstead where he was raised. Jim also worked as a Real Estate Broker and owned and operated Smykowski Auction, for 55 years. His auction skills were not only used in business, but he also showed his generosity by donating his services to a variety of organizations such as Pheasants Forever, Bison Bidder Bowl, and many others.
A word that described Jim to his core, was "ambitious." He was a leader in the community serving on the Lidgerwood School Board, the Lidgerwood Community Development Corporation, the Board of Directors for Dakota Estates, the Geneseo Grain and Seed Company Board of Directors, the First Bank of Lidgerwood Board, the Lidgerwood Swimming Pool Association, and the 4-H Foundation. He was also actively involved with St. Martin Church, the Elks, the Eagles, the Knights of Columbus (becoming a 4th degree Knight), the Golden Growers, El Zagal Shrine and the Masonic Lodge.
In addition to his community involvement, Jim was actively involved in politics in a variety of roles, such as Precinct Committeeman and District Chairman. This involvement brought him all the way to serving as District State Senator, from 1974-1980, and being a United States Congressional candidate in 1980. As a State Senator for District 26, Jim served on the State and Federal Committee, the Agriculture Committee, the Political Subdivisions, Appropriations, and the State Law Enforcement Council.
Jim also knew how to enjoy the life given to him. He had friends everywhere and knew everyone. He never passed up a card game, but in his true competitive spirit, he was somewhat fussy about his partner. (In fact, his children still have memories of waking up to the pounding of dice or him still playing cards, with his friends, from the previous night, while they were getting ready for school.) He loved gardening and grew produce that benefited people statewide. He had a knack for making sausage and was never afraid to crack a beer. He also showed great generosity and pride in his kids' and grandkids' activities, driving thousands of miles to cheer them on, in the stands.
Jim is survived by Annette, his loving wife of 65 years; son, Kenneth of Lidgerwood, ND.; son: Kevin of Lisbon, ND.; son, Dennis (Constance) of Lidgerwood, ND.; son, Robert of La Junta, CO.; daughter, Candia of Irrigon, OR.; daughter, Patricia (David Jacobson) of Fargo, ND.; brother, Donald (Kay) of Lee's Summit, MO.; sister, JoAnne Lipp of Breckenridge, MN.; brother, Joseph (Shirley) of Lidgerwood, ND.; Stanley (Sharon) of Lidgerwood, ND.; sister, Mary (Tom Klubberud) of Fargo, ND.; seven grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, George and Kathryn; son, Anthony; sister, Carol Baldwin; brother, David Smykowski; daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Smykowski; and numerous aunts and uncles.
Source: Frank Funeral Home Obituary
Contributor: Gregory Dorr
James George Smykowski (often called "Big Jim"), was born July 9, 1934, to George and Kathryn Smykowski. He grew up in rural Geneseo, North Dakota, on a family farm with seven siblings and attended rural grade school in Herman Township. He graduated from Lidgerwood Public High School in 1952.
On May 3, 1956, Jim married Annette Olson. Together, Jim and Annette, were blessed with seven children and raised their family on a diversified farm north of Geneseo, close to the farmstead where he was raised. Jim also worked as a Real Estate Broker and owned and operated Smykowski Auction, for 55 years. His auction skills were not only used in business, but he also showed his generosity by donating his services to a variety of organizations such as Pheasants Forever, Bison Bidder Bowl, and many others.
A word that described Jim to his core, was "ambitious." He was a leader in the community serving on the Lidgerwood School Board, the Lidgerwood Community Development Corporation, the Board of Directors for Dakota Estates, the Geneseo Grain and Seed Company Board of Directors, the First Bank of Lidgerwood Board, the Lidgerwood Swimming Pool Association, and the 4-H Foundation. He was also actively involved with St. Martin Church, the Elks, the Eagles, the Knights of Columbus (becoming a 4th degree Knight), the Golden Growers, El Zagal Shrine and the Masonic Lodge.
In addition to his community involvement, Jim was actively involved in politics in a variety of roles, such as Precinct Committeeman and District Chairman. This involvement brought him all the way to serving as District State Senator, from 1974-1980, and being a United States Congressional candidate in 1980. As a State Senator for District 26, Jim served on the State and Federal Committee, the Agriculture Committee, the Political Subdivisions, Appropriations, and the State Law Enforcement Council.
Jim also knew how to enjoy the life given to him. He had friends everywhere and knew everyone. He never passed up a card game, but in his true competitive spirit, he was somewhat fussy about his partner. (In fact, his children still have memories of waking up to the pounding of dice or him still playing cards, with his friends, from the previous night, while they were getting ready for school.) He loved gardening and grew produce that benefited people statewide. He had a knack for making sausage and was never afraid to crack a beer. He also showed great generosity and pride in his kids' and grandkids' activities, driving thousands of miles to cheer them on, in the stands.
Jim is survived by Annette, his loving wife of 65 years; son, Kenneth of Lidgerwood, ND.; son: Kevin of Lisbon, ND.; son, Dennis (Constance) of Lidgerwood, ND.; son, Robert of La Junta, CO.; daughter, Candia of Irrigon, OR.; daughter, Patricia (David Jacobson) of Fargo, ND.; brother, Donald (Kay) of Lee's Summit, MO.; sister, JoAnne Lipp of Breckenridge, MN.; brother, Joseph (Shirley) of Lidgerwood, ND.; Stanley (Sharon) of Lidgerwood, ND.; sister, Mary (Tom Klubberud) of Fargo, ND.; seven grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, George and Kathryn; son, Anthony; sister, Carol Baldwin; brother, David Smykowski; daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Smykowski; and numerous aunts and uncles.
Source: Frank Funeral Home Obituary
Contributor: Gregory Dorr
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