James Lund

James Matthew Lund, 45, Bismarck, formerly of Williston, passed away on March 6, 2020 after a life-long battle with cystic fibrosis. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 14, at Legacy United Methodist Church, 4600 Durango Dr, Bismarck.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Friday, March 13, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Pkwy, Bismarck. A prayer service will begin at 7:00 p.m.

Burial will be held at 1:30 p.m. Monday, March 16, at  Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Noonan, ND.

James was born on May 31, 1974 in Williston to Delores and Tom (Lund). They later divorced and James was raised by Delores in Noonan, ND, with a lot of love and support family and friends, especially grandma Regina Haugland. He was very close to his uncle, Greg Bratlien, who was a father-figure to him.

He attended elementary school in Noonan and later went to high school in Crosby. He enjoyed playing basketball and football in school. He graduated in 1992.

James and Michelle Devoe started dating in 2003. After several years of dating, he finally set aside his fear of leaving Michelle with his financial burdens from his medical issue, and they got married on December 10, 2010. Not only did he gain a wife, but he was also very happy to gain two daughters by choice. He loved them as if they were his very own.

James worked for years as an auto-mechanic until his health required him to change. He started working in the parts department of the dealership in Williston and moved to the Bismarck location after getting married.

In 2015, his health took another drastic decline and went on disability but continued to work part-time at what eventually became Eide Chrysler.

He had such a strong drive and work ethic. He was always concerned about losing his job or letting his co-workers or employer down from the frequent hospitalizations. He rarely took any personal vacation time.

Over the past year, his health took the most drastic decline and serious pursuit of a transplant occurred. He was shown such kindness, appreciation, and understanding from his boss and coworkers. They rallied around James and Michelle on frequent medical trips – surprising James by working on his Duster – that was a dream car for him. They also helped Michelle with snow blowing and mowing. James was also told he didn’t have to worry about his job – he always had one. He continued to fight to get back with them, convincing one doctor to let him try one day a week for only two hours, which he looked forward to starting until his last bout with sickness.

James loved his friends. He was an only child, but his friends became his family – brothers from other mothers. The love he had for each one of them brought such joy to his life. He loved spending time tinkering on cars, drag racing, hunting, and visiting with his buddies. James loved life and fought so hard to make the most of it.

James is survived by his wife, Michelle; daughters-by-choice, Hannah and Haley Urban; grandchildren, Marla Chapin and Malachi Chapin, all of Bismarck; mother, Delores Lund and uncle, Greg Bratlien, Noonan, ND; aunt, Barb (Tom) Muir, Casper, WY; Frankie Lund, Williston; Jodi (James) Howard, MT; Kermit Lund, Mandan; Melinda (Joy) Rutte, NC; Darlene (Larry Slingsby), Williston; and numerous cousins.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Clarence Bratlien, Regina Haugland and Oscar Haugland; Minnie and Jens Lund; aunts, Kathy Price and Kathy Bratlien; father, Tom Lund; great-aunt, Ellen Bratlien.

To view James' tribute video, click here.