James H. "Jim" Goertz

james h.
Jim's service will be live streamed below starting at 9:45 AM:
Jim Goertz, 71, passed away Monday, June 28th, 2021 under the care of Sanford Hospice in Fargo. Jim was born October 21, 1949 in Nebraska to Howard J (Jeff) and Catherine (Hogan) Goertz. He was the 6th of 12 siblings. He attended school at Cathedral of Ephiphany and Bishop Heelan High School in Sioux City, IA. On March 27, 1971 he was united in marriage to Cheri Fahey at the Cathedral of Epiphany in Sioux City, IA. They recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. They welcomed 3 children into their family Jami, Jacque & Ryan. Jim worked various jobs through the years and in 1980 he began a career in the passenger elevator industry. In 1985 the family moved to North Dakota. Over the years, the towns of Wilton, Minot and Hillsboro were considered home. In 2019 Jim & Cheri moved to Fargo. He covered a 4 state area in the Midwest servicing and repairing elevators. in 1999 Jim began as an instructor, teaching elevator apprentices safety and education. He was also a certified Osha instructor. Jim was Union Strong and dedicated to his trade. in 2015 Jim retired with an hourly accumulation of 40 years of service. During Covid-19, Jim continued teaching long distance learning for the elevator apprentices. Jim was a past member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic church and Knights of Columbus, Hillsboro, and a former board member of the Traill County Historical Society. One of Jim's favorite pastimes was fishing, whether in a boat or on the ice. In addition to spending time with them, he made sure he taught all of his grandchildren to fish. We would like to express heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Wiisanen at the Roger Maris Cancer Center and Marissa with Sanford Hospice for their compassionate care. He is survived by his bride of 50 years, Cheri, Fargo, daughters Jami (Michael) Kastning, Elk Point, SD, Jacquelyn (Gerald) Erickson, Jamestown, ND. Grandchildren - Julia Lovell, Mitchell Lovell, Fargo; Emily Goertz, Minot ND; Abigail, Nora and Patrick Kastning, Elk Point, SD Bonus grandchildren - April (Adam) Zimney, Nick (Kala) Erickson, Allison Erickson, Claire Erickson, Meredith (Tim) O'Brien, Christopher Erickson, all of Jamestown. Michael (Taylor) Kastning of North Carolina; siblings Lois Daniels, Cathie (Dennis) Carlson, Cindy Amick, Tim (Theresa) Goertz, Rita (Brian) Blanchard, and Keith Goertz; Sisters-in-law Barb (Fred) Palensky and Chrissy Fahey (Bruce Thomas), as well as multiple nieces and nephews. Great grandchildren Oliver Brown, Octavia Goertz, and bonus great grandchildren - Abram and Alexandra Zimney and Rhett Kastning. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, son Ryan, his siblings Jeanne, Jerry, Joe Julie, Tony and 3 nephews. A celebration of life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday July 2nd, 2021 at Boulger Funeral Home, Fargo, ND with the family present at 9:00 a.m. No internment at this time.

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  1. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time. Jim was a great person and will definitely be missed.
    Love & Hugs
    Sheila & Tim
    Craig, Darcy & Rylee

  2. Cheri, Jami and Jacque,
    My heart hurts for you all. I hurt physically knowing I cannot be there in person to share your grief. You are a second family to me and Dad was another father to me for those high school years. The laughter and fun we had with him and his teasing of us girls are memories I will cherish forever. I always knew I had a place to go at your home and a place to crash and snore on the couch downstairs if needed.
    Although I will not be there physically, know that I am there in spirit. My next trip to Bismarck will include a trip to Fargo or wherever to see my second family minus Dad.
    Love you all, Marci Small

  3. Good bye my friend. I learned so much from you and cherish the time we had as neighbors. For Jim’s family; he will be missed, but he is not gone as long as his memory is kept it our hearts. I wish each of you peace and love.

  4. Jim was one of the NICE guys, always with a smile 😊 We are so lucky to have known him❤️
    Prayers that God will be there for you all as you grieve Jim’s passing😞
    God Bless Jim❤️🙏🏻❤️

  5. Our hearts are heavy at this moment for you Cheri and family, Jim was the most caring and had the biggest heart that could be!! So sorry we can’t be there to give you all hugs but please know that we will be there in spirit, he will never be forgotten in my heart!! You are all in our thoughts and prayers!! Love and hugs!!! Lori and Dave

  6. Cheri, we are sad to hear of your loss. We enjoyed knowing you two at St. Rose’s. May you cherish your memories.
    Mark & Joanne Zaharia

  7. Cheri and family,
    I’m so very sorry to hear about your Jim. I remember him from grade and high school. So happy to visit with you both a few years ago. Now you have wonderful memories of many happy times. Bless you all.
    Mary P Smith

  8. My thoughts and prayers are with all the family. So very sorry for your loss! R.I.P. Jim!!

  9. Lorry & I are thinking of you and with you in the ethers for the celebration. Love , Margaret & Lorry

  10. Cheri, so sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. Our prayers are with you and your family. I wished we could have visited more at our Heelan class reunion. Sending hugs, Celene Kafton

  11. Cheri,
    Condolences at the death of Jim. I remember re-connecting with you here in Sioux City a few years ago ( I think it was after Mass). And was pleased that you remembered me. God bless Jim in his new life with the Lord, and
    may God bless you as you begin life without this familiar face in your midst..

    Love & prayers. Fr Sitz


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