Evans Funeral Home
"Compassionate Funeral Service"
Carrington and New Rockford, North Dakota
701.652.3003 or 701.947.2911
Secondary Number ~ 701.650.9937
James Sears
James Sears, age 72, of Carrington, formerly of Aneta, ND, died peacefully, Thursday, December 2, 2021 at Golden Acres Manor, Carrington after a valiant battle with cancer in 2015 and then a two-year battle with ALS.
James Daniel Sears, was born August 8, 1949, in Sharon, ND, to Harvey and Mary Jane (Zimprich) Sears. James attended school in Sharon through elementary, continuing his education and graduating from Aneta High School in 1967. He was baptized, attended church, was confirmed and married in Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Aneta, ND.
Upon graduation James attended NDSU. He then returned home to work on the farm; ranching, farming and attending the dairy cows. James was united in marriage to Mary (Reilly) Nelson, November, 7, 1975; gaining both a wife and a son Nicholas. James and Mary were blessed with four beautiful daughters, Joanna, Kathleen, Bridget and Teresa. His family was always the most important part of his life. They raised their family and stayed on the farm until 2018. James and Mary then moved to Grand Forks until August 2021, when they relocated to Carrington.
He worked on the farm raising cattle, turkeys and small grains. From 1992 -1997 James worked for Huso Farms in Aneta. He drove bus for many years for both Dakota Prairie and Northwood Schools. James had also worked at Twete Inc. as a parts man in McVille.
He was a member at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Aneta, a church trustee and treasurer. He was a third-degree Knight and a member of the Knights of Columbus. James was on the Griggs County Library board, the Sheyenne Valley Co-op advisory council and the St. Lawrence Parish Council. He was also active on the Aneta Fire District as Secretary and Treasurer and the Treasurer for the Lenora Township.
James is survived by his loving wife of 46 years Mary; five children, Nicholas Sears (Paula Lovgren), Moorhead, MN, Joanna (Brent) Lee, Carrington, Kathleen Sears, Maddock, ND, Bridget (Jared) Matt, Carrington, Teresa (Travis) Stepan, Robbinston, ME; nine grandchildren, Justin Lee, Tyler Lee, Elizabeth Lee, Nicole Lee, Abigail Lee, Jennie Lee, Reilly Matt, Andrew Matt, Sophia Stepan and many cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents Harvey and Mary Jane Sears; several aunts, uncles, and cousins.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that Masses be said for James, or a donation given to your favorite charity.
A Visitation will be Sunday, from 5:00PM-7:00PM followed by a Rosary & Vigil Service at 7:00PM all at Evans Funeral Home, Carrington.
James’ Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, December 6, 2021, at 10:30AM at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Jessie, ND.
His Burial will be at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery, Aneta, ND.
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Mary and all the family: I was so very saddened to hear this. I went to high school with Jim and he was always such a soft spoken, kind, and gentle person. I remember that Jim brought you, Mary, out to my Mom and Bud’s farm so that we could meet you for the first time. He was so happy and proud! I remember too how very proud he was of your children….any time we visited Aneta he would tell me all about how they were doing, with such PRIDE in his voice. It’s a loss to the world to lose a gentle soul. My sympathy to all of you. Cherish the memories. Pam Retzlaff
I am so sorry to hear of your Husband, Father, and Grandfather’s passing. I am sending prayers and our family’s condolences.
Mary and Family so sorry for your loss my thought and Prayers are with you all. Was nice to have met Mary And Jim at Silver Water in Grand Forks. RIP JAMES.
Mary and family: Along with you, Diane and I grieve the loss of our good friend and farm neighbor; but we also share in your faith that our loving Lord has brought James to his heavenly home with no more suffering but now eternal joy. Jim was my high school classmate and college room mate. It was a great time of friendship. We think of you in these days of sorrow, and pray for strength and peace for you all.
Paul and Diane Huso
Dear Sister Mary, We’re thinking of you and wish we could be with you in your time of sorrow. We know Jim is at peace in a place he deserves to be. Love to you and the young ones. Lorraine & Dick
So sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. I always enjoyed chatting and visiting with him. Praying for the family as they mourn Jim.
Joanna & Brent & Family,
We were so sorry to read that James Sears was your father, Joanna. Our sympathy to you & your children with the loss of your father & their grandfather.
May he Rest In Peace.
Mary and Family, so saddened to hear of the loss of James. I am the oldest cousin on the (Zimprich) side and I remember so well growing up playing board games with James and playing ball and sledding when our families got together. We treated you like a brother and I’m sure we were a little overwhelming to James when we all got together. I have so many good memories.
I remember meeting you, Mary, and how proud James was introducing you to us.
I am keeping your whole family in my thoughts and prayers.
Mary and family.
I was saddened to hear about Jim. May God be with you at this time. So grateful you have family close. Life will be different now. You are
Missed by many in Aneta and in the Dakota Prairie Family. Keeping you all in prayers. Of course the first real storm if the winter came right now!
Mary: We are saddened by your loss, our sympathies to you and your family. We reflect on our first meeting you and Jim on a bus pilgrimage. Those were interesting times getting to know you both.
We will keep all of you in our daily rosaries and prayers.
May God Bless all of you.
Chet and Sharon Paschke
Grand Forks, ND
Our sincere condolences. Paul & I join you in mourning Jim’s passing. He was a kind man who was so very proud of his family. We remember those fun winter gatherings of board games & winter suppers.
Know that we share your hope in the resurrection and eternal life to come. Jim’s faith was a shining light.
God bless you as you move on this journey of life.
Sears family, so sorry for your loss. A good man gone to soon. My thoughts and prayers are with you.