James Bierdeman
March 13, 1942 ~ September 1, 2021
James Live Streamed Memorial Service can be viewed below starting at 10:45 AM on Monday:
If you can not see the embedded file, you can view via the link below:
https://vimeo.com/event/1260703
James (Jim) Bierdeman, 79, died September 1, 2021 at Rosewood on Broadway surrounded by family in Fargo, ND. James Bierdeman was born on March 13, 1942 in Sykeston, ND to Herbert and Ella (Ziegeldorf) Bierdeman. He grew up on the family farm near Sykeston, ND and graduated from Sykeston High School in 1960. Jim continued his education in Fargo, ND at the Dakota Business College. During his time in Fargo, Jim met a cute bank teller named Loretta Hurley and their lifetime courtship began. After graduation from Dakota Business College, Jim took a position as an accountant at Tallman Oil Company in Fargo, ND. In 1964, Jim left for Tacoma, WA to serve in the U.S. Army 4th Infantry Division in Fort Lewis, WA. On October 9, 1965 Jim married the love of his life, Loretta, in Tacoma, WA. After Jim was honorably discharged from the army, they moved back to Fargo to begin their life together.
Jim accepted a position in the Trust Department with Merchants National Bank in 1966. He continued his position until 1970, when he accepted a job at First Bank as a trust officer and relocated to Bismarck, ND. In 1974, he was appointed Senior Trust Officer where he continued his passion for banking, running the Trust Department at First Bank/US Bank in Bismarck for over 30 years. After his retirement from US Bank, Jim was influential in the development of the Trust Division at BNC Bank and Investment Centers of America in Bismarck.
Jim’s compassion for family and community was evident in all that he did. Jim was a devoted member of the Bismarck Elks Club #1199 and served as exalted ruler in 1983-1984. Many treasured lifelong friendships were formed during this time. He and Loretta were also involved in the Jaycees, American Legion, and Rotary International. Jim served on the Board of Directors of the Dakota Zoo in Bismarck and served on multiple boards throughout the community. Jim’s greatest joys were his three daughters and spending time with his five grandchildren. He had a love for the outdoors and enjoyed his time on the river, fishing on his pontoon and his trips to the mountains elk hunting.
Jim is survived by his wife, Loretta, Fargo, ND, three daughters – Julie (Mike) Dolbec of Bismarck, Cheryl (Dan) Kuhn of Morris, MN, and Michelle Bierdeman (Neal Beckler) of Moorhead, MN. Five grandchildren – James (Maggie) Grossman - Seattle, WA, Sarah Kuhn (Evan Stewart) – Boise, ID, Michael Grossman – Bismarck, ND, Laura Kuhn – Dilworth, MN, and Jonathan Dolbec – Bismarck, ND. He is also survived by his three brothers – Gerald (Dila) Bierdeman – Fargo, ND, Allan (Johnne) Bierdeman – Frazee, MN, Don (Peggy) – Fargo, ND, sister-in-law Chico Bierdeman – San Jose, CA and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Herbert and Ella Bierdeman, brother, LaVerne Bierdeman, and sister, Esther (Del) Kundert.
A Celebration of Life will be held Monday, September 6th at 11:00 am at the Boulger Funeral Home, 123 10th Street South, Fargo ND with a lunch to follow. Burial will take place Tuesday, September 7th at 11:00 am at the ND Veteran’s Cemetery 1825 46th St. Mandan ND with a lunch to follow at the Bismarck Elks Club 900 South Washington Street, Bismarck ND.
For those who can not attend in person there will be a live stream video at: https://boulgerfuneralhome.com/obituaries/james-bierdeman/
Memorials may be given to the Dakota Zoo in Bismarck, Elks Camp Grassick, and the ND Veterans Cemetery.
James' Video Tribute can be viewed below:
So very sorry to hear of the passing of this dear, funny, kind and all around nice guy. My wonderful cousin. Well loved by his family and friends. You will be greatly missed Jim! Love and Hugs.
Rest In Peace,Jim.
Loretta and family our very deepest sympathy.
We love you and know that Jim can now find joy and peace in our Lord’s arms. Prayers 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
Our sympathy to Loretta and her family. Lorreta is the best friend Jim ever had and a great friend to all of us.
Jim was a kind and caring person. When I was a kid, George, my family visited the Bierdeman farmstead near Sykeston and they visited our place often.Their Shetland pony used the barn doors to brush me off a number of times while running back to the barn. There was Jim, Allan, Gerald, Lavern and Don. So I had to hold my own when I visited the Bierdeman bunch. We also got together at picnics, church, weddings, Grandma and Grandpa’s, and at Gopher Days in Cathay. They were good times.
Footnote: By the way Lorreta was the best fish toss thrower at Lake Lida Contest.
Loretta and family, We send our sympathy and love at such a sad time. Wishing all of you the comfort knowing that you filled his life with so much joy and love. He was a very special man and will be dearly missed. God Bless your entire family and Rest In Peace Jim 🙏🏻
Jim was a sincere dedicated person. Took his commitments serious,devoted his time unselfishly to whatever he did. Jim will be missed. My condolences to the family
GOD BLESS.
So very sorry to hear of Jim’s passing and extend my condolences to you Loretta and your family. Will cherish the memories of our fun times together through our acquaintance via the Elks and for your support when Roy passed away so suddenly 26 years ago.
My thoughts and prayers are with you in the days/weeks ahead.
God Bless,
Erma
Memories from long ago. Our sympathies to you as you bid farewell.
Dear Loretta and Family, So sorry to hear of the loss of your loving husband, dad and granddad. Wish we could be there to hug all of you. May the Peace of Christ comfort all of you and your faith give you strength to know your Jim is in God’s loving care now and forever. Love one another and know you are loved by many.
Michelle,
So sorry for the loss of your Father.
Thinking of you at this difficult time
Jim and I shared an apartment in college and he was best man at our wedding. Best guy I ever knew. Just plain a great guy. He is in a better place now. Prayers and thoughts are with you Loretta and the Bierdeman family.
Sharon and Ken Urbach
Like to offer my sincere condolences to the passing of Jim bierdeman. I remember him as a good cousin when I was growing up. He was a good man and a credit to serving his country and family
Wishing Loretta and all the Bierdemans happiness and peace as you remember uncle Jim’s legacy and lasting impact on his family and community.
Loretta and family, So sorry to hear about Jim. Vernon and Jim had many fun times together. We would have liked to be there with you but don’t do much driving any more. Gods Blessings.
I was very happy that Jim reconnected with my Dad (Wayne Blanchard) at the mall. I was pretty young when you all moved to Bismarck but I know my parents very much enjoyed your friendship over the years. Was very sorry to hear of your loss. Dad always said Jim was a good man.
Dear Loretta, I am so sorry to hear about Jim, just want you to know you are in my thoughts and prayers, God Bless you and family. Love, Fran Graalum, Friday , bridge Club
To Loretta and family…….
So many memories we share! So many laughs, so many stories, so many times at the Pinochle table, just the fun we had together. We will miss Jim, but we will not forget him! Sorry we couldn’t be with you, but we were able to witness Jim’s memorial service and see all of you! Thinking of you.
So sorry to hear about Jim’s passing
Jim was a great friend and Brother Elk.
Connie and I will never forget the great times we had with Loretta and Jim over the many years In Bismarck, at Elks State Conventions and National Conventions. Also Ritual practices and competition. Jim will be Missed but never forgotten.
Dear Loretta,
Words cannot begin to tell you how sorry Carl and I are for your loss of Jim. We know how much you loved him!
We will never forget how we met one afternoon in our Community Laundry room in Laguna Woods.. Loretta came up to me and asked if I lived there. She was so happy I was younger than our normal residence and wanted my phone number! A few minutes later she called, she and Jim wanted to know if we wanted to come over for a Brewski and that was the start of a great friendship. We will fondly remember our dinners at Cosmos Italian Restaurant, trips to Del Mar and Santa Anita to watch horse racing, Estate sales in our community and Jim told us not to buy stuff but we never listened…We learned to play Farkle and other card games! Carl and Jim would talk Football both lovers of the game and of course Politics…
Thank you for the laughs and the fond memories of our times in Laguna Woods Village on Via Alhambra!
Love you Vanessa and Carl
Michelle: I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your Father. He was an amazing man and had a full life.
We are thinking about you and your family and hope you can find peace during this difficult time. There are many people lifting you up in thoughts and prayers.
My condolences to Loretta and her family. Jim was a special friend and neighbor to Lou and I when we lived on Griffin Street in Bismarck. What a fun time we had with he and Loretta. Jim also served as a Board of Directors for our business. Jim was very professional and knowledgeable. I am sure Lou is waiting for him by the pearly gates to welcome him home.
It has been decades since I’ve seen Jim, however I can still hear his “radio show host” voice in my head. I remember him as a kind man. “Elvis,” as my brother and I liked to call him, was a guy with a good sense of humor and a twinkle in his eye!
Prayers and God’s Love to Loretta and family,
Paul Hoghaug
So sorry to hear of the passing of Jim. Many memories as a neighbor and as a classmate. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
I am so saddened to hear of Jim’s passing, it breaks my heart I wasn’t there those last 6 weeks. It was an honor for me to have met him and care for him. We became very good friends and had so many laughs together, I will always remember him and he will forever hold a very special place in my heart. Big hugs to his wonderful family. Love, Vicky Foss
I miss you so much Jim, I m selfish and wish you were still here, even though I know you are in a better place than us. I think about you every day and especially when I’m at Rosewood, I don’t like going in “your room” it makes me so sad. My heart hurts that I wasn’t there for you those last 6 weeks and by the time I came back you were gone and I didn’t even know you were leaving or I would have been there for you, I am so sorry, Love , Vicky Foss xo