James "Jimmy" William Holwell

James William Holwell, 66, Mandan, North Dakota, passed away Tuesday, October 6, 2015, doing what he loved, hunting at Solen, North Dakota. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM, Monday, October 12, 2015, at DaWise-Perry Funeral Services, Mandan with Rev. Scott Bernstein officiating. Visitation is scheduled for one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial will be in the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan, immediately following the service.

James was born June 11, 1949, in Bottineau, North Dakota, to James and Dolores (Wegge) Holwell. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith, and was a lifetime member of First Lutheran Church. He was raised and educated in Bottineau and went on to attend North Dakota State University and earned a BA in Education. He was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity. James served in the US Army in Vietnam. Following his service, he joined the National Guard in Fargo and was a "Happy Hooligan". In December, 1985, he married Kelly Mortenson in Fargo. They were later divorced. He sold insurance, owned the Sports Bar in Fargo for 23 years, and later the Lewis and Clark Saloon, and Big Dipper Ice Cream Shop in Washburn. Jimmy loved hunting, reading, and watching sports, especially the Bison, Cubs, and Vikings. He was a huge softball player. His reason for getting up in the morning was his patrons at his bar but mostly his family.

He is survived by his mother, Dolores Holwell, Bottineau; two daughters, Darcie Boltz (Eric Miller), Minot, and Katy (Dustin) Moore, Fargo; two sisters, Sandra (Terry) Hartsburg, Phoenix, Arizona, and Laurie Jane (Samuel) Law, Lake Metigoshe; one future grandchild; two nieces, Stacey and Catherine Boltz; two nephews, Joshua and Nicholas Law; four great-nephews, Zachary, Trevor, Jimmy, and Lijah.

James was preceded in death by his father. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the James Holwell Scholarship Fund at the First National Bank, Bottineau or donor's choice.