Jim Aldrich

James "Jim" Aldrich, 87, Wahpeton, ND passed away on Friday, July 1, 2016 at CHI St. Francis Health, Breckenridge, MN. The Funeral Mass will be on Thursday, July 7, at 10:30 AM at St. John's Catholic Church, Wahpeton, ND with Rev. Dale Lagodinski officiating. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 5 PM to 7 PM with a prayer vigil at 7 PM at Willow Creek Chapel, Wahpeton. There will also be visitation one hour prior to the mass at the church on Thursday. Interment will be at Fairview Memorial Gardens, Wahpeton. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to a charity of the giver's choice in Jim's memory. Arrangements are entrusted to Vertin-Munson Funeral Home, Wahpeton, ND.

Jim was born June 11, 1929, in Duluth, Minnesota, to William and Eva (Possier) Aldrich. He graduated from high school in 1947, and on September 17, 1949, married Marguerite Joan Lind, also of Duluth. The couple made their home in Bismarck, North Dakota, where they owned a business and a hobby ranch. In 1965, they moved to Wahpeton, where Jim joined the faculty of the North Dakota State College of Science. He taught there until his retirement in 1988.

A proud member of the Wahpeton and Dwight Fire Departments for fifty years, Jim served as Wahpeton's fire chief from 1986 to 1988. He was known statewide as an instructor on firefighting and hazardous materials. He served on the board of the Wahpeton Airport Authority.

Jim was a proud man, as anyone who knew him could attest to. He was proud of his wife, proud of his family, proud of his own path through life, which included his many years with the volunteer fire department, HAZMAT training and service, years of teaching, and his cabin at the lake.

He is survived by two brothers: William Aldrich, Eveleth, Minnesota, and Robert (Dorothy) Aldrich, Coon Rapids, Minnesota; his five children: Charles (Sherry) Aldrich, Pocatello, Idaho; Cynthia (Tim) Weishapple, St. Francis, Minnesota; Candace Vigil, Layton, Utah, Craig (Mary) Aldrich, Wahpeton; Connie (Randy) Erickson, International Falls, Minnesota; and his many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Marguerite, his sisters, Eunice Benedict and Lois Mortenson, one brother, Jack Aldrich, a granddaughter, Rachel Vigil, and a great grandson, Luke Call.