James R. Beckstrand

James R. “Jim” Beckstrand, lifelong resident, farmer and rancher of rural Warwick, ND passed away at his home on Saturday evening, November 16, 2013. He was 62 years of age. Funeral Services for Jim will be held on Saturday, November 23, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. at the River of Life, Assembly of God Church in Devils Lake. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Friday from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and on Saturday at the church one hour prior to the funeral service. Burial will take place at a later date. James Roy, son of John and Inez (Milde) Beckstrand was born on St. Valentine’s Day, February 14, 1951 at Fargo, ND. At one month of age, his adoptive parents, John and Inez brought him home to the family farm and he would call it home the rest of his life. Jim attended the Warwick Public School and graduated from Warwick High School with the class of 1969. A recipient of a full music scholarship, Jim attended the Grand Canyon Bible College in Phoenix, AZ for one year. He returned to North Dakota at attended NDSU, Fargo working towards a degree in engineering. Jim was united in marriage to Cynthia Bauch on April 15, 1978 at the Baptist Church in Devils Lake. They were married by Jim’s uncle, Pastor Floyd Beckstrand. Jim had been farming and ranching with his parents and continued to after marriage. Jim was very active in many local, state and national boards. He was chairman of the board for the North Central Soil Conservation District for over 30 years and also served on the Benson County Weed Board. He was always a true steward of the land and was a representative on the State Technical Committee of the Soil Conservation District and was the first State President of the Northern Plains RC and D. (Resource, Conservation and Development). He also generously gave of his time to the Stockman’s Association, serving on the Purebred Council and was also a member of the State and National Hereford Association. He served on the eight county board of the North Central Planning Council as a representative from Benson County for several years. In his younger years, Jim shared his talents and knowledge as a Ramsey Riders 4-H Club leader. When he had time away from the farm, he enjoyed hunting and fishing and was an avid gun collector. Jim spent his life as a devoted husband, Dad and grandpa. He always did his best to care for the many blessings of his life and to be thankful for those blessings and to give back to his community, his peers and family the best he could. Those who shared in Jim’s life are his wife of 36 ½ years, Cindy; his four children and eight grandchildren, Justin Beckstrand of Warwick, Jon (Natalie) Beckstrand, Moose Lake, MN and their boys Carlos, Julian, Daymian and Nicolas, Sandra (Charles) Schantz of Hebron, ND and their boys Calvin, Logan and Jacob and Joanna Beckstrand (Adam Berger) and their daughter Emmalynn Berger of Devils Lake; his father, John Beckstrand, Warwick; sister Julie (Jim Tallant) Beckstrand also of Warwick and brother Jack Beckstrand of Santa Rosa, CA; mother-in-law Frances Bauch, Max, ND; aunts and uncles Gladys and Robert Jacobson, Melvin and Marie Beckstrand all of Warwick, Barb Beckstrand of Finley, ND, Irene Murphy of Ohio and Lane Midle of also of Ohio; many nieces, nephews, cousins and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law. He was preceded in death by his mother, Inez; grandparents, Gus and Selma Beckstrand and Martin and Marie Milde and several aunts, uncles and cousins.