James Tesky

James “Jim” Tesky, 74, of Jamestown, passed away peacefully at Sanford Hospital in Fargo, ND on April 7. Jim was born on January 13th, 1948 at Trinity Hospital in Jamestown, ND in the middle of a snow storm to Jacob and Catherine (Erickson) Tesky of Ypsilanti, ND. He was baptized and confirmed in Ypsilanti Lutheran Church.  He grew up on the family farm along with his five siblings, Rosella, Judy, Barbara, Ernie and Linda. As a boy he enjoyed watching military shows and reading westerns. On the farm he milked the cows, helped his mother in the garden, worked alongside his father farming and fixed what was needed. He participated in 4H showing pigs, sheep, and beef cattle.  In 1962 his father passed away and Jim stepped into his father’s footsteps, doing his best to tend to the animals and the farm.

Jim attended Corwin Township, a one room schoolhouse in his early years. He spent his middle years of school in Ypsilanti, ND; and high school in Montpelier, ND.   During the middle of his senior year, he moved to Maryland to help his sister Rosella and her husband Tom with their masonry business.  While in Maryland, Jim finished out his senior year and graduated from North Hagerstown Highschool in 1967. 

After graduation Jim enlisted and served in the United States Naval Construction Battalion, (Navy Seebees) from 1968-1970.  He was stationed in Da Nang, Vietnam; Midway Island; and Naval Base San Diego.  When discharged he moved back home and continued his military service through the North Dakota Army National Guard for over 20 years.

Upon returning to the states, he bought his family’s farmstead from his mother and began working night security for the North Dakota State Hospital.  It is there that he met a young nurse, Eva Geffre, and after some persistence - won her heart!  Eva turned out to be the love of his life.  They married in Oakes, ND on February 9th1974 and built a life and family together welcoming three daughters and one son. 

Jim’s military experience, along with his many years working on the family farm, sparked a life-long love for construction, fabricating, finding parts, fixing, welding, inventing and general problem solving.  He used these skills in his 34-year career at DuraTech Industries in Jamestown, ND; in his part time work for his brother-in-law, David Glinz, at Glinz Farms in Pingree, ND; and in his retirement helping out on his daughters’ nearby farmsteads; as well as at home in his barn that he designed and constructed.

Always the “busy bee”, Jim was continually hard at work.  He loved being active and providing a helping hand in the community.  He was forever volunteering, whether that was for his daughters’ school helping to build vendor booths for a school carnival, helping to build sets for an ice show, or helping to set up a Haunted House for the Jamestown Jaycees.

Jim was a man of faith and was an active member of Atonement Lutheran Church for over 40 years, including serving as board secretary for many years.  He also loved history—whether it was looking into his own family’s genealogy or helping to preserve local history.  He served many years on the boards of both the Stutsman County Memorial Museum and the Fort Seward Wagon Train.

Jim did not disappoint when it came to wholeheartedly loving his family.  Being a kind and dependable son, brother, husband, son-in-law, uncle, father, and grandfather was of the utmost importance to him.  He showed his love through acts of service.  He readily helped his wife with planting, harvesting, and preserving their garden.  He was quick to help family, friends, or strangers with all types of special projects and he frequently rescued his daughters from car troubles. 

Jim was happiest tinkering in his shop, playing cards, or sharing stories especially about the Fort Seward Wagon Train.  He enjoyed traveling and exploring with his family, taking cruises around North America, road trips throughout the United States, and wagon rides across the North Dakota prairie lands. In 2009, he traveled to Thailand to help with building projects at Hope International Schools, the school his niece Marvel, and her husband, Joel Vander Kooi founded.

In 2001, Jim was diagnosed with Mantle Cell B Lymphoma, caused by Agent Orange.   He underwent a stem cell transplant at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and received a second chance at life.  Adjusting to his disability and early retirement, Jim enjoyed attending family gatherings, school activities with his grandkids, and going out for coffee at the Truck Stop. In 2018, he moved to Ave Maria Nursing home and there he continued to enjoy life in many ways including telling stories, making jokes, and teasing the staff.

Jim is survived by his devoted wife of 48 years, Eva, his three daughters Tammy Tesky Ausen (Travis Ausen), Brooklyn Park, MN, Teresa Fewell (Jason), Dazey, ND, Teva Lange (Rick), Ypsilanti, ND, his five grandchildren Josie and Lexie Lange, Mary Catherine and Oliver Fewell and Anastasia Tesky Ausen, siblings, Rosella Quinn, Fredricksburg, VA, Judy Frey (Ken), Jamestown, ND,  Ernest Tesky, Atlanta, GA, and Linda Schwartz (Terry), Jamestown, ND, as well as many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in passing by his parents, Jacob and Catherine Tesky, son, Jason Charles, his sister, Barbara Glinz, sisters-in-law, Elaine Tesky and Sally Geffre, brothers-in-law, Thomas Quinn and Michael Geffre, and nephew, Shaun Glinz.

A visitation will be held at Eddy Funeral Home on Wednesday, April 13th from 4 pm- 7 pm with a prayer service following at 7 pm.  His family will be present to welcome loved ones. The funeral will be held on Thursday, April 14th at 10 am at Atonement Lutheran Church, with visitation one hour prior.  For those who are unable to attend the funeral in person, a live stream will be available via www.facebook.com/alcjamestown

     The graveside service will be held at 2:00 PM, Friday, September 9, 2022 at Sunset Memorial Gardens, Jamestown, ND.  A community gathering/memorial luncheon will immediately follow at Atonement Lutheran Church in the fellowship hall from 3-5PM.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorial donations to Hope International Schools (HIS), Thailand https://sites.google.com/sopromise.org/his-website/donate or Fort Seward, Inc. Wagon Train. http://covered-wagon-train.com/wagonstore/

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