Dr. James Lantz

Dr. James ?Jim? Lantz, 68, of Fargo, died Saturday, December 20, 2008 at Innovis Hospital in Fargo. James Lantz was born to the late Leo and Alice (Chloupek) Lantz in Fargo on March 3, 1940. Jim grew up in Moorhead, MN where he attended St. Joseph?s Elementary and graduated from Shanley High School, Fargo, ND in 1958. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of North Dakota and received his medical degree from the University of Minnesota. He married Valois ?Lois? Fox in Watertown, SD on August 17, 1963. Jim and Lois started a family and resided in Minneapolis, MN while he completed medical school. In 1965 they moved to Duluth, MN while he completed his medical internship at St. Mary?s. In 1966 Jim and Lois moved to Alexandria, VA while he worked at the F.D.A. in Washington, D.C. In 1968 he moved with his family to Rochester, MN where he served his residency in ObGyn and Anesthesia at the Mayo Clinic. In 1971, they moved to Fargo where Jim was the first anesthesiologist at Dakota Hospital and continued to practice anesthesiology for 33 years. Jim retired in 2004 from Innovis Hospital where he worked side by side with his sons Leo and Steve. He is remembered as an optimistic, dedicated, and caring physician with a thoughtful bed-side manner, who was quick to praise and offer a pat on the back to his cherished ?partners?. As a devout Catholic, father of eight, and grandfather of 17, Jim was quick to share his personal values ? 1) God 2) family 3) work and 4) extra-curricular activities. He attended church daily, and enjoyed spending time with family at the lakes and as a therapy dog volunteer. An avid outdoorsman, fishing and hunting were among his favorite pastimes. He also loved sports of all kinds and was a lifelong Notre Dame and Fighting Sioux fan and also coached many of his children?s hockey, soccer and basketball teams. Above all, Jim was a man who truly loved life and loved the people who shared it with him. He led by example and forever has the love and respect of his children and grandchildren. He will be greatly missed and remembered with love and gratitude, always. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Lois, Fargo; children, Caroline Lantz, Fargo, Leo (Laurie) Lantz, Fargo, John (Brenda) Lantz, Littleton, CO, Tom (Donna) Lantz, Parker, CO, Dr. Steven (Teri) Lantz, Fargo, Amy (Marc) Adams, Winston-Salem, NC, Katie (Tim) Yoder, Rochester, MN, Lisa (Matt) Nelson, Fargo; grandchildren, Chris, Andrew, Nicholas, Mason, Megan, Julia, Noah, Bennett, Anna, Daniel, and Ethan Lantz, James and Maisie Adams, Samuel and Elijah Yoder and Jack Nelson. He was preceded in death by his parents; his granddaughter, Laura Rose Lantz; and his brother, William Lantz. Memorials are preferred to: The U.N.D. Foundation, C/O The Dr. James P. Lantz Scholarship endowment, 3100 Univ. Ave., Stop 8157, Grand Forks, ND 58202-8157. Visitation: Friday, December 26, 2008 from 5-7 p.m. at Boulger Funeral Home, Fargo, ND and also one hour prior to Mass at the church on Saturday. Prayer Service: Friday at 7:00 p.m. at Boulger Funeral Home. Funeral Mass: Saturday, December 27 at 11:00 a.m. at Church of the Holy Spirit, Fargo, ND.