James Marsden

James Henry Marsden, 89, Fargo, ND, died Saturday, December 19, 2009 at MeritCare Palliative Care in Fargo. Mr. Marsden was born August 17, 1920, in Hendrum, MN, where he grew up and attended school. He attended Upper Iowa University, Joyette, Iowa from 1939 to 1941 and served with the US Army Ordinance from 1942 to 1945. Following his military service in the Aleutian Campaign in Alaska, he enrolled at Macalester College, St. Paul, MN, and graduated in August, 1947. On June 8, 1947, he married Mary McKenzie in Grandin, ND. They have spent most of their married life in Fargo. He was active in insurance and public relations work from 1947 until 1979 when he became the ND Farm Bureau Legislative Director. He served in that capacity in Bismarck until 1984, when he became Executive Vice President of the ND Farm Bureau and returned to Fargo. He retired in August, 1989. James is survived by one son, Dr. Richard J. (Beth) Marsden, Fargo, ND, and a daughter, Mary Jane Martens, West Fargo, ND; four grandchildren, Christopher (Erica) Marsden, Minneapolis, MN; Chad (Jenny) Marsden, Moorhead, MN; Amy, Minneapolis, MN; James Martens, Mandan, ND; three great-grandchildren, Owen, Lucy and Gavin Marsden; many nieces and nephews; and in-laws, Mary Marsden, St. Paul, MN; Ursula Marsden, Alamogordo, NM; John E. (Bella) McKenzie, Albuquerque, NM; and Daryl (Clarence) Hehn, Fargo, ND. He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, four brothers; Fred, Winston, David, and Robert; sister, Alice; and son-in-law, Phillip Martens. The family wishes to thank the caregivers at Eventide Lutheran Home and the Palliative Care Unit of MeritCare for their loving care. Memorials are preferred to First Presbyterian Church or Eventide Foundation. Memorial Service: 1:00 pm, Monday, December 28, 2009 at First Presbyterian Church, Fargo, ND.