James Whalen

Funeral services were held Wednesday, Sept. 10 at the Nelson Funeral Home in Leeds for James Emmett Whalen, 78, Leeds, who died Sunday, Sept. 7, at the Towner County Medical Center in Cando.

James was born Nov. 20, 1935 on a farm near York, a son of Emmett J. & Dollie (Britsch) Whalen. He attended school in Leeds, graduating in 1953. In 1959 he entered the army at Fort Carson, Colo., serving there and Korea until his discharge in 1961. In 1968 he married Clarine (Halvorson) Bjerke. He farmed for 10 years. He and his wife, owned two businesses in Churchs Ferry. He then worked for Mollers Inc. in York until his retirement in 2004.

He is survived by his wife; son, Jeff; daughters, Cheryl Belle, Carol Leibfried, Susan Silliman; 15 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; brother, John; sister, Mary.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Herbert and Simon; sister, Dorothy McGown; two brother-in-laws, one grandson and one great-granddaughter.

Fr. Joseph D’Aco officiated. Music was provided by Dorothy Stuberg and Nancy Silliman. Military honors were provided by the North Dakota Military Funeral Honors Team.

Casketbearers were Kelland Bjerke, Jarin Bjerke, Cody Belle, Nolan Belle, Derek Belle, Cameron Leibfried, Andrew Whalen, Wyatt Silliman, Ethan Silliman and Garrett Silliman. Honorary bearers were Jordan Bjerke, Ashli Whalen, Kendra Leibfried, Kaylee Whalen and Oliver Whalen.

Arrangements by Nelson Funeral Home of Leeds.