James Bernard Kitsch

James B. “Jim” Kitsch, 82 of Garske, ND died Tuesday morning, April 22, 2008 at Heartland Care Center, Devils Lake. Mass of Christian Burial for Jim will be held on Friday, April 25, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake. Fr. Tony Hession will celebrate the Mass and burial will be in St. Peter and Paul Catholic Cemetery, rural Webster. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Thursday from 1:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with a Rosary and Scripture Service at 7:00 p.m. The Rosary will be led by the Knights of Columbus. Visitation on Friday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral Mass. Casket Bearers for Jim will be his grandsons, Andrew Kitsch, Matthew Kitsch, Michael Kitsch, Bryan Jager, Tyler Jager, Caleb Erickson, Scott Brossart, Alex Brossart, Tom Brossart, Jacob Brossart and Jack Brossart. Honorary Bearers will be Jim’s granddaughters, Abby Brossart, Heidi Brossart, Molly Brossart, Erica Kitsch, Kathryn Kitsch, Kelsey Jager and Ariana Erickson. Anita Adahl will be the reader and gift bearers will be Erica and Kathryn Kitsch, Kelsey Jager and Ariana Erickson. James Bernard Kitsch was born February 7, 1926 in Devils Lake to Francis and Ella (Froehler) Kitsch. He grew up and attended school at Garske and Starkweather. Jim farmed in the Garske area until his retirement in 1988. On May 16, 1953, Jim was united in marriage to Shirley Finneseth at Munich, ND. They made their home in the Garske area where they lived, farmed and raised their six children, Joe, Nick, Bruce, Barbara, Susan and Carol. Jim was a life member of the Knights of Columbus, former member of St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, rural Webster until it closed and then became a member of Assumption of Mary Catholic Church in Starkweather. Jim enjoyed going to Arizona for the winter months where he did many woodworking projects and designs. Summers were spent at their lake cabin on Munson Lake at Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. He loved fishing, gardening and working in his flower garden. He loved to share all of his fishing stories of trips to Canada with family and friends. When at the farm and staying at Joe’s home, Jim enjoyed going to Starkweather to the morning Smear Card Club with many good friends. Jim is survived by his wife of 54 years, Shirley of Garske His children; Joe Kitsch, Nick Kitsch and his wife, Charlotte and Bruce Kitsch and his wife, Rita all of Webster, ND; Barbara Jager and her husband, Steven of Jamestown; Susan Brossart and her husband, Rodney of Lakota; and Carol Erickson and her husband, Todd of Sidney, Montana. Grandchildren: Scott (Loretta) Brossart, Thomas Brossart, Jacob Brossart, Heidi Brossart, Molly Brossart and Jack Brossart all of Lakota; Alex Brossart of Sidney, Montana; Abby Brossart of Rugby, ND; Bryan Jager, Kelsey Jager and Tyler Jager of Jamestown; Andrew Kitsch, Matthew Kitsch, Kathryn Kitsch, Michael Kitsch and Erica Kitsch all of Webster; Caleb (Ashley) Erickson and Ariana Erickson of Erhard, Minnesota and Noodles (the dog) of Sidney. Great Grandchildren: Hanna and Preston Brossart of Lakota and Madison Erickson of Erhard, Minnesota Brothers: Dennis Kitsch Mark Kitsch and his wife, Angie all of Devils Lake Sisters: Anita Adahl also Devils Lake Donna Erickson and her husband, Robert of Moses Lake, Washington Many nieces, nephews and their families also survive. Jim was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Jack; sister, Lois and granddaughter, Chrissy Brossart.