James Craig Boucher

Jim's Tribute Video can be seen here: https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/DWKFKHZX49FWR72H

James (Jim) Craig Boucher, 76 of Rolette, ND, passed away peacefully surrounded by family at Sanford Health in Bismarck on February 19, 2024. It was a beautiful transition from his family's loving arms into the arms of Jesus.

He was born to Albert and Alice on March 21, 1947 in Rolla, ND. He graduated from Rolette High School in 1965. He attended college at Dakota Business College and NDSCS. He served in the Marine Corps from October 1966-October 1968, 11 months of which were served in Vietnam.

He married Carol Foss on November 26, 1971 and they made their home in Rolette, ND. They raised three daughters and were blessed with 5 amazing grandchildren who lit up his life. He was an immensely proud Papa! He loved his family dearly and attended as many extra-curricular events as possible for his kids and grandkids. His determination to be present at every major life event for them, despite times of poor health, was a testimony to his love.

Throughout his life, Jim was employed in various occupations including working at Rolette Meats, Johnson Oil, construction, and long haul trucking before going back to his roots and opening his own crop spraying business until retiring in 2007.

He lived in a house with 4 women so there wasn't much room for his voice, but he made good use of the few words he got in with his quick wit and infamous one-liners, a trait carried on by his kids and grandkids. Not only was his wit sharp, but so were his knives. One of his pet peeves was a dull knife, which his daughters always had, making it a challenge for his obsession with precision in dicing vegetables and cutting meat. He would remedy this on his next visit with wet stone in hand.

His passion was woodworking and he made many beautiful (and heavy!) pieces for his loved ones, from small to large. Pieces that he spent hours working on until they were as perfect as he could possibly make them. He enjoyed fishing during all seasons, teaching his girls and grandkids the art of reeling in the big one. Sometimes you got a fish, sometimes a pair of pants, and other times, you just enjoyed boat snacks and fished sunglasses out of the lake when curious little people needed to see the fishies up close. Many summers were spent camping at Adam Lake, which included hunting for wild berries, late night fires with s'mores, and the inevitable adventures with skunks.

As an avid gardener, he spent many hours outside talking to his beloved tomato plants and precisely measured, straight rows of carrots. He also enjoyed hunting, puzzles, playing cards, and games. He spent a few winters in Alaska working with his brother Jerry and in his retirement enjoyed a cross-country return to the state for a moose hunt and salmon fishing.

He was an active member of American Legion Post 194 and Valle Lutheran Church.

Jim is survived by Carol, his wife of 52 years; children: Dawn (Kevin) Kindel, Naomi (Chris) Lelm, and Deanna (Troy) Pederson; grandchildren: Carter (Abbey) Kindel, Mason Kindel, Grant Lelm, Rylie Lelm, and Rupa Kindel; siblings: Jerome (Helen) Boucher, Jeff (Mary Ann) Boucher, Joel (Joyce) Boucher, Kelly (Mike) Hell and Jacques (Deb) Boucher; brothers-in-law: Wayne Vedquam and Gary Foss; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents Albert and Alice, infant brother Jerry, sister Kerry, niece Anne Vedquam and nephew Aaron Vedquam.

A Memorial Service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 2, 2024 at Valle Lutheran Church, Rolette, ND. Visitation will be one hour prior. A Prayer Service will be held at the church on Friday, March 1 at 7 p.m. Burial will be at North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan, ND.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like memorials sent to North Dakota Veterans Cemetery in Mandan, ND.