James Wickenheiser

James J. Wickenheiser, age 86 of Bismarck ND, died on Saturday, Veterans Day, November 11, 2017, at Sanford Medical Center in Bismarck ND. Funeral mass will be held at 10:30 am on Friday November 17, 2017, at Church of St. Anne, 1315 Braman Avenue, Bismarck. Visitation will be held from 5:00 – 7:00 pm, Thursday November 16, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck, where a prayer service will begin at 7:00 pm. Jim was born April 13, 1931, in Strasburg, ND, the son of Joseph and Margaret Wickenheiser.  Following his high school graduation in Strasburg, Jim graduated from the College of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN and also graduated from the school for Executive Development at the University of Washington. Jim served as a 1st lieutenant with the United States Air Force during the Korean conflict, after his service Jim spent 6 1/2 years with the United States Steel Corporation in the Twin Cities. On August 29, 1959, Jim married Eileen Joyce Lenihan and they lived in St. Paul Minnesota before moving to Bismarck, where Jim started working for First Federal Saving and Loan. In 1977 he became president, managing officer, and served on the board of directors, until 1987, when he retired. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus, The Rotary Club, and the Elks, where he sang with the Elks chorus for years. Music was a big part of his life and Jim was a phenomenal musician and could play anything by ear with a keyboard. It didn't matter what kind of gathering it was, but if there was a piano or organ or he brought his accordion he filled the place with music, many holiday seasons Jim with his accordion and many friend and relatives would go Christmas caroling at all of the nursing homes and even the state penitentiary. Jim really enjoyed the time that he spent at his and Eileen's cabin on Brush lake, where he spent endless hours preparing everything for the enjoyment of his children, relatives and friends. It’s too bad we didn't keep track of how many people he taught how to water ski. He was a great ski coach and boat driver. Jim is survived by his wife of 58 years, Eileen, Bismarck; children Melissa, Bismarck; Daniel, Las Angeles, CA. Patrick (Diane) Agua Dulce, CA.; one brother Al Wickenheiser, N.Y; one sister, Alice Muckenhirn, MN; sisters-in-law, Patricia Wickenheiser, NY,  Trish Lenihan, Bismarck and; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, Loraine and Viola; and two brothers, Thomas and Robert.