James "Jim" Norman Schultz

James "Jim" Norman Schultz, 88, Bismarck, North Dakota, passed away Monday, April 18, 2016, at Sanford Health. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM, Saturday, April 23, 2016, at Church of the Ascension, Bismarck, with Rev. Msgr. James Braaten officiating. Inurnment will be at 2:00 PM, Monday April 25, 2016, in the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan.

Jim was born February 7, 1928, at Willow City, North Dakota, to Herbert and Clara (Potvin) Schultz. He was raised and educated in Willow City where he graduated from Notre Dame Sacred Heart Academy. Jim was working for Minneapolis Moline when he met Laura in 1949. In 1950, Jim joined the North Dakota National Guard and was stationed at Fort Rooker, Alabama. He came home on furlough in the spring of 1951 and married Laura on June 7th that year. Jim returned to duty at Fort Rooker and Laura joined him about two weeks later. They lived in Alabama for a month before Jim was deployed to Korea until his return home September 2, 1952. He continued to serve in the National Guard and also returned to his job at Minneapolis Moline until he had the opportunity to work full time for the National Guard in 1954. He spent the next 38 years in the military career that he loved. When people asked Jim why he chose the military over the family farm, he would tell him it was because his dad put headlights on the tractor. He spent most of his career in North Dakota with the exception of a stint at Fort Riley, Kansas during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Jim and Laura raised their two children in Minot and Jim was transferred to Bismarck in 1977. He retired from the National Guard in 1988 when he turned 60 years old, mandating retirement age. He often said that he was not ready to retire and they had to drag him out of the armory with his fingernails scraping the floor. After retirement, Jim and Laura spent many winters in Gulf Shores, Alabama where they made many new friends and enjoyed the beach and golf courses. He was a member of the American Legion, Elks and Eagles. Jim enjoyed volunteer work. He was an avid golfer and celebrated three holes in one during his life.

He is survived by his wife, Laura; one daughter, Gail (Allan) Schultz-Hansen, Grand Junction, Colorado; one son, Gary Schultz, Rifle, Colorado; one brother, Francis "Jerry" (Coleen) Schultz, Minot; two grandchildren, Tyler Hansen and Candice Schultz; his sister in law Hulda Schultz, and numerous beloved nieces and nephews.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, brother Robert; and two sisters, Rosemary Noll and Loretta Manning.