James “Jim” Rocheleau

March 6, 1952-Aug. 30, 2023

Chaska, Minn.

James Leo “Jim” Rocheleau, 71, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family on August 30, 2023, in Chaska, MN. He was born on March 6, 1952, to Kenneth “Red” and Edna Rocheleau in Rugby, ND, he was known for his red hair, tall broad stature, and enormous hands. He was often referred to as a gentle giant and earned the nicknames “Big Red”or “Red”. He was raised and worked on the family farm near Spring Lake – Pierce County. He graduated from Rugby High School with the class of 1970. He was a wrestler, played football, and was an active member of FFA and 4H. After high school, he attended NDSU in Fargo, ND majoring in agricultural economics. During his time at NDSU, he met his future wife, Theresa. They were married on June 12, 1976 in New York Mills, MN and were married for 34 years. Together, they moved back to Rugby, ND where they purchased his uncle Oren’s farm. They were blessed with three children; Jessica, Jenel, and Kenneth.

Throughout his life, he was a business owner, owning a motel and campground for nearly 23 years, rental units, and he also spent part of his career driving over the road bringing back many stories of his travels. He had been a member of the Rugby Lions Club. His grandchildren meant the world to him, he loved spending time with them, taking on an essential role in helping to raise his oldest granddaughter. He loved popcorn, family dinners (particularly if it included meat and potatoes), and butchering meat with his Uncle Bob in the winters. He was full of wit and a goofy sense of humor, and could always be found cracking jokes; whether they were funny or not. He loved reading, always had a subscription to the Wall Street Journal along with a number of other newspapers, the National Geographic, books about jokes, and had stacks and stacks of other books that he was reading. He had enough books to start his own small library. He loved politics and was always up for a political debate, even traveling to Washington, D.C as a lobbyist for Farmer’s Union. Although he wore many hats, his greatest passion was farming, and he loved everything about being a farmer. He was very generous, helping others whenever he could, and above all he kept a strong Christian faith in God.

He is survived by Theresa Rocheleau and their daughters, Jessica Leier and her daughter Audrey Leier; Jenel Rocheleau, and her significant other Marc Kouadio and children Gia, Natalia, and Naomi Kouadio; and their son, Kenneth and his wife: Erin and their children, Jocelyn and Anders Rocheleau. Jim also leaves his only surviving brother, Roger and his wife Valory; sisters-in-laws Kathie and Paula, his aunt Joyce McKinzie and several nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by mother in 2011 his father in 1974, two brothers Jerry in January 2023, Rocky in March 2023.

A memorial service will be held at Calvary Evangelical Free Church in Rugby on Saturday, September 23, 2023, at 2 p.m. Friends may call at the Niewoehner Funeral Home on Friday, September 22 from 5-7 and a prayer service will be held at 7 p.m. that evening. www.niewoehnerfh.com 701-776-6222

Published by The Pierce County Tribune, September 16, 2023.