James Oliver "Jim" Solie, 68, of Fargo, North Dakota and former longtime Crookston, Minnesota resident, died at his residence Tuesday, May 3, 2005.

Jim was born in Crookston on February 3, 1937, the son of Oliver and Agnes Charron Solie. He grew up in Crookston and attended Crookston schools, and graduated from Central High School in 1955. As a young man he served with the Fargo Air National Guard and received his training in Texas. Throughout the years that Jim Lived in Crookston he was employed at Ruettell's Clothing, Logan's Clothing and as manager of the Crookston VFW Club. In the Early 1990's he moved to Detroit Lakes, Minnesota and was employed as a manager of the VFW Club there. After two years he moved to Fargo and worked at Kirby's in Moorhead, Minnesota until his retirement a year ago. Jim was a member of the Crookston VFW and American Legion Posts, the Sons of Norway, the Kem Temple Shrine in Fargo and the Elks Lodge. To know Jim was to know the meaning of the word "extrovert". He had a true "gift of gab" and could start a conversation with anyone. He will be truly missed and remembered with love by his family and many friends.

Family members include a daughter and son in law Jennifer and Nathan Overgaard of Crookston, Minnesota; two grandchildren, Sam and Amelia; a sister and brother in law, Darlene and Kermit Heiberg of Crookston; a sister in law, Agnes Demarais of Monticello, Minnesota; and several nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents; a brother Jerome Demarais and an infant brother Elroy Solie; a sister Josephine Dale, and an infant sister Lorraine Demarais.

A memorial service for Jim Solie will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 10, 2005, in the Trinity Lutheran Church in Crookston, Minnesota with the Rev. Randy Smith, officiating. Military honors will be provided by VFW post #762 of Fargo, North Dakota. Interment will be in the Hafslo Cemetery, rural Crookston. The Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.