James Swigart

James A. Swigart was welcomed to his heavenly home Saturday June 17th, 2023, surrounded by his loving family.

There will be a gathering of family and friends on Wednesday, June 21, 2023 at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Funeral Services will be on Thursday, June 22, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. at Christ Free Lutheran Church, Devils Lake with Reverend Gary Fulsebakke officiating.

James, son of Ernest and Blanche Swigart was born March 29th, 1938, in Fairplay, Colorado.  He was the youngest of the four siblings, he had two brothers Kenneth and Wendell and one sister Mary.

Jim married Mary on June 29th, 1956, in Kellogg, Idaho. Mary was his best friend, and the love of his life, the two of them were like two peas in a pod and went everywhere together. They began their family in Kellogg welcoming sons Kenneth and Craig.  They moved their family to Sioux City, Iowa where they welcomed their daughter Laurie.  In 1977 they moved their family to Saint Michael, ND where they built their forever home.

James, best known as Jim to everyone who knew him, excelled in various professions throughout his lifetime up until his retirement. Everything he did he did for his family. Jim enjoyed fishing, building things around the house and for a time sailing their bright yellow sailboat, named the Jamar, around Devils Lake. Jim and Mary loved traveling around the United States together and sometimes they would even take on the daring task of taking the grandchildren with them on their many adventures. Jim loved spending time as much time as he could with his grandchildren and great grandchildren.  In 2016, a little angel came into his life, his “Yannie” she was his little piece of sunshine, and was always glued to his side. Yannie always held a special place in his heart.

Jim is survived by his loving wife of 66 years Mary. His children Kenneth (Sheri) Swigart of Jacksonville, FL. Craig (Antoinette) Swigart and Laurie (Roger) Lourens of Saint Michael, ND. His grandchildren Kenny (Michelle) Swigart of Rock Valley, IA. Stacey (Corey) Swigart of Fargo, ND, Jeremy Swigart of Jacksonville, FL, Joshua (Leah) Swigart of Reno, NV, Melissa (Christopher) Swigart-Lourens of Saint Michael, ND, Trevor (Shannadea) Swigart of Devils Lake, ND, Merissa Swigart-Lourens of Devils Lake, ND, Justin Ericson of Sioux City, IA, Veronica, Randall and Amelia Swigart of Saint Michael, ND, Riley Leaf of Thompson, ND. His great-grandchildren Makenzie (Juan), Blaine, Allie Jean (James), Forest, Everest, Cypress, Brady, Ruby, Henry, Holly, Branson, Frankilyn, Laylahnie, and many in-laws, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Jim was welcomed to his Heavenly home by his parents, brothers, sister, daughter-in-law Theri, grandson Tanner and many other family members, friends and canine companions Buddy and Rascal.

The family would like to give a special thank you to Hospice of the Red River Valley, and his Devils Lake dialysis team.  If the family left anyone out it was not our intentions at this difficult time.

Burial will be at the Swigart Homestead at a later date.