James Strege

James "Jim" Strege, 84, Wahpeton, ND passed away on Tuesday, September 20, 2016 at Essentia Health, Fargo, ND. The Funeral Service will be on Monday, September 26, 11:00 AM at Bethel Lutheran Church, Wahpeton, with Rev. Jule` Ballinger officiating. Visitation will be Sunday from 4 to 6 PM, followed by a 6 PM prayer service, all at Bethel Lutheran Church. There will also be visitation one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday. Interment will be at Elk Creek Cemetery, Wyndmere, ND. Arrangements are entrusted to Vertin-Munson Funeral Home, Wahpeton, ND.

James Otto Strege was born August 7, 1932 near Lidgerwood, ND, the son of Otto H. and Myrtle (Solberg) Strege. The family moved to a farm southwest of Wyndmere, ND where Jim attended country school through the 8th grade and then graduated from Wyndmere High School in 1950. Jim joined the US Army and served proudly during the Korean War from October of 1952 to October of 1955. He was united in marriage to JoAnn Bailey on November 14, 1954, at Wyndmere United Methodist Church while home on leave, after which the newlyweds had the wonderful opportunity of spending their first year of marriage "honeymooning" in Germany. Upon returning from the service, Jim worked at Dokken's Motor Sales, Wyndmere. In 1966 he started his propane gas career at HomeGas, which later became Texgas, in Wahpeton and then for 8 years in Barnesville. He spent a few years in Sauk Centre, MN before transferring to Lakes Gas in Forest Lake, MN, returning to manage Texgas in Wahpeton in 1985. After retiring in 1992, he worked for the Richland County Soil Conservation office part-time for several years and assisted at Vertin-Munson Funeral Home in Wahpeton for ten years. JoAnn, his wife of 60 years, passed away on April 20, 2015. The care Jim took of his bride while she was in memory care for her last five years was an amazing example to all who knew them of the love and commitment they had for each other. Jim continued to live in his home until just recently moving to Twin Town Villa, Breckenridge, MN.

Jim was active in the ND Republican Party, serving as Chairman of the 25th District and on the State Board. He attended many State Conventions and one National Convention. Jim was a member of Bethel Lutheran Church and a past president of the ND Propane Gas Association, of which he is a Hall of Fame inductee. He served as President of the Wahpeton Golden Kiwanis three times. He was a handyman who liked to fix things, especially cars. He enjoyed traveling with his wife and spending time with his children and grandchildren.

Jim is survived by a daughter and three sons: Mark Strege, Perham, MN; Mike (Deb) Strege, West Fargo, ND; Karen (Wes) Hendrickson, Wahpeton, ND; Kevin (Beckie) Strege, Bismarck, ND; his grandchildren, Angela (Kelly) Januszewski, Jenna (Jake) Lillehaug, Bennett (Kelli) Strege, Kristine and Matthew Strege, Jacob (Liz) Hendrickson, Anna Rippin, Larissa (Stas) Mialenko, Uliana (Sascha) Sigl, Katya (Yura) Khramovskaya, Timur Baisalov; his great-grandchildren, Annalise Lillehaug, Jack and Smith Hendrickson, Jessica Kaiser, Thomas Parks, Peter and Kaylee Rippin, Anastasia, Arseniy and Margo Mialenko, Oscar Sigl, Efim Khramovskiy; his great great-grandchildren, Skyler and Jordyn Parks-Lance; , a sister, Emelie Johnson, Minnetonka, MN; three brothers, Richard (Marlys) Strege, Fargo; Steve (Cindy) Strege, Fargo, and Joseph Strege, Williston, ND; and two sisters-in-law, Mildred Strege, Lidgerwood and Ann Strege, Wyndmere.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, JoAnn; an infant grandson, Adam Strege; six brothers: LaVerne, Howard, Merlin, Orvis, Elmer and Claude; three sisters: Inez Strege, Rachel Strege, and Leonora Strege.