James Millard Dustin

Celebration of Life: https://boxcast.tv/view/jim-dustin-celebration-of-life-wcwmbmeluwas5eivbuda

Tribute Video: https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/TGP5KXXYGR3RSW4Z

James (Jim) Millard Dustin was born August 10, 1939 to Arvel Dustin and Elna Petersen Dustin in Santa Barbara, CA. The family lived in Solvang, CA, later moving to Garden City, UT. His parents divorced, and Jim moved with his mother and brother, Roland, to Minnesota and later Wisconsin. They lived on a resort for 8 years, then moved to a farm near Medford, WI.

Jim worked as a hired man during the summer, starting at age 15 and continuing through high school. Jim says being hired to manage a small dairy farm at age 15 was a real confidence booster. He graduated from Medford Senior High in 1957, attended Humboldt Institute in Minneapolis in the fall, and the following spring joined the Marine Corps.

The Marine Corps took him to the West Coast, Hawaii, Japan, and Hong Kong aboard an aircraft carrier, where he worked in internal security and also operated the ship's small boats and landing craft.

Following the Marines he went to work in the trucking industry (driving a desk) until 1995. He later worked as a warehouse manager for the Dakotas Conference of the United Methodist Church during the flood of 1997. The experience gained during this flood recovery took him to the Spirit Lake reservation, where he hosted teams of volunteers in construction projects for the tribe and tribal members until his retirement in 2005.

In 1962, he married Sharon Terca of Presho, SD. They had two girls and later divorced. In 1967, he married the love of his life, Eileen Sander, in Arlington, MN. They had two children. Jim says, "Eileen raised our four children, and I helped". They lived in Blaine, MN; Sioux Falls, SD; Overland Park, KS; West Fargo, ND; Fargo, ND; and finally settling in Moorhead, MN.

Jim is survived by his wife, Eileen; daughter, Bonnie Bransford of Colorado; sons, Paul (Erin) Dustin and Jeffery Dustin, all of Moorhead; brothers, Roland of Arizona, Kevin (Danene), and Matthew (Christian) of Utah; sisters, Louise (Dana) of Montana, Cindy, Karen, Julie (Denzel) of Utah; sisters-in-law, Sylvia (Dan) Hahn and Barbara Dammann; 10 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandsons; plus honorary grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Shelley; sister, Linda; brother, Hyrum; and in-laws, Ruth and Sidney Sander.

Jim was an active member of the United Methodist Church serving in leadership at the local, conference, and jurisdictional levels, also as a certified lay speaker. He was named a fellow in the Society of John Wesley.

Jim loved to sing. He sang in church choirs and many small groups. He was part of a trio, Sounds of Recovery from 1997 to 2000, two barbershop quartets, and Joy for the Journey Band. He served as Vice President and President of the FM Ambassadors Barbershop Chorus.

Jim loved walking at MB Johnson Park and was friends with the dogs and their owners.

Thank you to the VA hospital's staff, Sanford Hospital staff (Orthopedics Center, Sanford Medical Center, and Sanford Broadway Clinic), Sanford Hospice, and St. Catherine's staff for their kindness and dedication in taking care of Jim.