Jacob Peter Sitter

Jacob “Jack” Peter Sitter, 90, passed away peacefully on August 30, 2022 in Marion, IA.

Jack was born on May 30, 1932 to Jacob “Jake” Sitter and Margaret Wald in Bismarck, ND.  He attended St. Mary’s Grade and High Schools in Bismarck where he played high school football and graduated in 1950.  Afterwards he attended St. John’s University (MN) and Valley City State (ND).  He received a B.S. in Education in 1959 from Valley City State, and later attended graduate classes at Valley City State, Minot State (ND), Dickinson State (ND), and Utah State.

His higher education was interrupted when he served in Korea for 16 months from 1952 to 1954, having attained the rank of Sergeant in the Army before he was honorably discharged.

He married Virginia Frances Senftner on July 6, 1957.  They had four children: Jacquelyn Lee, David John, Charles James, and Mary Jo.

Jack taught business at Strasburg High School (ND) from 1959 to 1961, and at White Shield High School (ND) from 1962 to 1989 where he also was the yearbook advisor.  He retired in 1989.

Jack and Virginia loved to spend time with family and friends.  They enjoyed camping, which they did in the summer with their children, and all year round after retirement, wintering in AZ.  Jack eventually settled in Needles, CA, where he and Carol lived for years prior to moving to Marion, IA in 2021 to be near family.  Jack was also an avid hunter and fisherman, and he loved to play cards.  He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, and the National and ND Education Associations.

He is survived by his children David (Laura) of Baltimore, MD, Charles (DeAnn) of Robins, IA, and Mary (Thomas) Smith of Williston, ND; his companion Carol McLeod of Marion, IA; his sister Anne Kolstad; 8 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents Jake and Margaret, his wife Virginia, his infant daughter Jacquelyn, his brothers Ben and Jules, and his sisters Julie Miller, Carol Sickler, and Megs Priess.

Services will be held at St. Anne Catholic Church in Bismarck, ND at 11:00 AM on Friday, October 7.  Interment with military rites will be held afterwards starting at 2:00 pm at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery in Mandan, ND.

Memorials may be directed to the family (Charles Sitter, [email protected]), or to an organization of your choosing.