James "Jim" Kroshus
November 15, 1935 ~ July 2, 2022
Born in:
Perley, Minnesota
Resided in:
Fargo, North Dakota
Jim’s Live Streamed Memorial Service can be viewed below starting at 1:30 PM on Friday:
James (Jim) Kroshus of Fargo passed away peacefully on July 2, 2022 after a long battle with acute leukemia. He was an extraordinary role model for his family and a remarkable husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He was a very well-respected school administrator, educator and coach.
Jim was born in rural Perley, MN on November 15, 1935. He was the youngest child of Martin and Olga (Wiig) Kroshus. He grew up in the Perley-Borup area and graduated from Borup High School in 1953. He was baptized and confirmed by Bethania Lutheran Church.
After high school, Jim attended Moorhead State College (MSC) for two years and then volunteered for the draft. He entered the Army on April 18, 1956 and spent 18 months of his service time in Japan as an air traffic control tower operator, which he enjoyed. Upon his return, Jim spent two years in the active reserve and returned to MSC where he received his bachelor’s degree in Education. He then received his master’s degree in School Administration from North Dakota State University. Before graduating from MSC, Jim met the love of his life, Beverly Price. They were married on 7/1/60 and just celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary.
Jim was Superintendent, Teacher and Coach at the Walcott and Davenport, ND school districts from 1961-1968. When both districts joined the Kindred School District, Jim then became part of the Kindred School Administration team for the next 29 years. Jim and Beverly’s daughter, Kelly, was born while they lived in Walcott. Their two sons, Jerry and Kevin, were born while they lived in Davenport. When Davenport joined the Kindred School District in 1968, Jim, Bev and their family continued to live in Davenport.
Jim was very active in the community. He was a member of the Davenport Lutheran Church for 38 years and served on the council several times. He was a volunteer summer baseball coach, a volunteer fireman, an independent basketball, baseball and softball player for several years and an active Lions Club member for over 30 years.
Jim was asked to be on the first Cass County Special Education Board. Special Education was a passion of his. He served as Chairman of the Board for the first 14 years when special education services were first established in the county. About this same time, Jim was trained to be a North Central Accreditation Team Chairperson and was part of several teams that evaluated schools in the area. Jim was also Director of the Summer Migrant School Program for 30 years held at either Davenport or Kindred each year. In addition, Jim was the varsity basketball coach at Kindred High School for 12 seasons. During his tenure with Kindred, his Viking teams won eight district titles, numerous Wild Rice Conference titles, and made it to six Region I championship games, taking three of those teams to the State Tournament in Bismarck. His teams at Kindred averaged 19 wins a year.
Jim was a member of several local and State administration groups. Upon his retirement from Kindred Schools in 1997, Jim received the Bell Ringer award, the Golden Apple award and the Service to Children award. He was also among the first inductions in the Kindred School District Hall of Fame.
Jim retired from Kindred Schools in 1997 but he continued to be Director of the Summer Migrant School until the last year of operation in the summer of 2000. Jim went on to do testing/education work for the Department of Public Instruction. During the summer of 2000, Jim was asked to be the first junior/senior High School Principal at Park Christian School in Moorhead, MN. He continued in that position for three years and helped them through their first high school graduation and their first extra-curricular competition. He thoroughly enjoyed his time at Park Christian.
Jim and Bev moved to Fargo in 2002. A short time later they joined Atonement Lutheran Church. Jim continued to be an active member of the Cass County Retired Teachers Association.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, his four brothers and one sister and their spouses, and one brother killed while in the Service on the Island of Guam and several aunts and uncles.
Jim is survived by his loving wife, Beverly, Fargo, ND; daughter Kelly (Tim) Swenson, Barnesville, MN; sons, Jerry (Lisa), Sarasota, FL; Kevin, Fargo, ND; grandchildren, Anna (JP); Aubree (Dave), Brooke (Nate), Connor (Hannah); great grandchildren, Noah, Harlyn and Zoey and several nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be made to the Salvation Army.
MEMORIAL SERVICE: 2 PM Friday, July 8, 2022 at Boulger Funeral Home and Celebration of Life Center in Fargo with visitation starting at 1:00 P.M.
Jim’s video tribute can be viewed below:
Services
Memorial: July 8, 2022 2:00 pm
Boulger Funeral Home and Celebration of Life Center
123 10th Street
Fargo, North Dakota 58103
7012376441
www.boulgerfuneralhome.com
Visitation: July 8, 2022 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Boulger Funeral Home and Celebration of Life Center
123 10th Street
Fargo, North Dakota 58103
7012376441
www.boulgerfuneralhome.com
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
Judy and I are sorry for your loss of Jim. May God give you peace in your hearts and remember that you will be reunited with him again. Jim had an impact on many lives in his career in education at many levels.
Judy and Darrell Cole
Brownsburg, IN
So sorry to hear about Mr kroshus’s passing. He was at Park Christian school when my children were in high school. He was such an encouragement to them and rejoiced in their successes. Even after graduation when my oldest son would see him he was always interested in what he was doing and how he was.
Made a positive difference in my life ..
So sorry to hear about the loss of Mr. Kroshus. I grew up in Davenport, and the whole family was such a big loving part of our community. So many memories and good times. He will be missed. Love, prayers and hugs to all! 🙏
Know our thoughts and prayers are with you all. We are so sorry about the passing of Jim. We didn’t have the privilege of knowing him but felt we did through Kelly and Tim. Continuing to uphold you in our daily prayers
Jean Peterson
We are sad that Jim has passed, but proud of his accomplishments as an alum of our college. His career and life are inspiring.
Dear Bev and family, I first met Jim in Walcott, North Dakota, I was a student but even better I was Kelly’s in babysitter! I spent a lot of time with Bev and Kelly. Moving on he was my children’s educator in Davenport. Life was so much better with Jim in it. May God hold you all in the palms of his hands always. Wish I could attend but we have Doctor appointments. Love and Prayers Bev and Family,,,,,,,Kristie(Erickson-Andvik)Berg
Dear Bev and family
I was a close friend and teammate of Jim in basketball and baseball at Borup High School and we remained friends
for several years when he was in college and his early years teaching in Walcott. I had the good fortuneto meet
Bev. We lost touch in the last several years. I thought of our young years at Borup many times!
My deepest sympathy to you Bev and the Kroshus family. May the good Lord bless all of you!
Everett “Sonny” Bjerke
Bev and Family,
Thoughts and prayers to you and your family. Jim was a great mentor and I enjoyed working with him when I was high school principal. Thinking of you all.
Dear Mr. Kroshus,
It is with much sadness that l must say “goodbye for today” to you, dear man!!! You lit up our world at Park Christian for a short, but most meaningful time as Principal. Each day that you walked through that door, a light shone brighter than before and you gave me the realization that “everything will be okay, now; Mr. Kroshus is here!”
When a day seemed challenging, there was your wonderful smile, and a positive encouragement. When there was humor, your face would exude the fun we were all having. If there were tears, you could soon bring a smile. You had a kindness quotient that was beyond compare. And the manner in which you carried yourself was irreplaceable. You were a special friend, a sincere blessing to me, and God certainly knew how much PCS needed you at the particular time you made yourself available to each of us! May God richly bless your family and your precious memory!!! ♥️
Our family was blessed by Mr. Kroshus’s work and wisdom at Park Christian School. We remember him with appreciation for his kindness and professionalism. Sincere sympathies to his family. Thank you for your contributions to his life and work and for sharing him with your communities.
Mr Kroshus was the principal when I was a student in Walcott. I have lots of memories of him as teacher, principal and coach. Almost forgot – typing teacher! Someone put Limburger cheese in his sweater pocket. 😳 I met him years later when he was involved with testing with my friend and neighbor Brad Johnson. He will be missed.
My condolences to the Kroshus family! So sad to hear the news of Jim’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time.
R.I.P. Coach.
My condolences to the Kroshus family. Many memories come to mind growing up in Kindred, but watching him coach were great highlights! Thoughts and prayers to his family and friends. Be at Peace Coach.💙
I was so sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. I graduated from MSUM in 1972 & Jim hired me for my first teaching position as a 1st grade teacher in Kindred. He was a great principal to work with & also a very kind & gentle man. He will be missed by many.
Jerry, my sympathies to you and your family. Prayers and hugs!
Bev, I am saddened to hear of Jim’s passing. Jim was one of my favorite people at Walcott High School. As a
student, neighbor, and babysitter for Kelly, I am proud to be able to call Jim a “Friend”. With the many good
memories from the 60’s, and my thoughts and prayers for you and your family, will help to comfort you at this
time. Love and Hugs, Jean
To the Kroshus family,
What a loss for everyone, for a man who was an extraordinary educator, and friend. Mark and I were in High School in Walcott when Mr. Kroshus was the Principal. Mark’s Mom Dagny, taught 1-2nd Grade at the time, and in the winter he would call out to the farm to see how bad the roads were, and if she (probably Mark) didn’t think they could make it, Mr Kroshus took her word for it, and CANCELLED school for the day. What a wonderful man, teacher, friend and community leader. He was responsible for hiring Miss Gerner, and Mr. Fair…..and didn’t we love to see them. Thanks Mr. Kroshus for making High School an awesome time in a lot of kids lives.
Growing up in Kindred and attending both Kindred and Davenport schools, I recall Mr. Kroshus as a household name; someone who was so well-liked and respected. My sincere sympathies to the Kroshus family and all who had the privilege of knowing him.
I served with Jim on the Cass County Special Education Unit. I enjoyed working with Jim during my days as superintendent at Leonard. My thoughts and prayers are with his family as they celebrate Jim’s life.