Marian "Mimi" Luverne James

Marian (Mimi) Laverne Helgaas James died Monday, October 31, 2017 after a brief illness at Essentia Hospital in Fargo. She is survived by three sons, Scott James (Karen Krug) of Port Townsend, Washington, Steve (Pam) of Moorhead, and Stan (Linda) of Fargo; three grandchildren, Brian, Katelyn (Galligan) and Christopher; one sister, Dorothy Whitt of Vienna, Virginia and many nieces and nephews.

Born on April 12, 1920, Marian was the second of four daughters born to Bernt Sophus Helgaas and Esther Sophia Bloomgren Helgaas. Marian attended Grand Forks Central High School and graduated in 1941 from The University of North Dakota with a Bachelor of Science in Education. In August of 1942 she married her high school classmate, William (Bill) James. Bill managed the Grand Forks Sweet Clover Dairy for many years following Navy service in WWII. Marian enjoyed knitting and for several years owned a yarn shop in the Grand Forks Creamery, often donating her knitted hats and mittens to local charities. She also loved reading and writing poetry, publishing a book of poems in 1979.

The couple retired to Redlands, California until Bill passed away in 2004. After living with her oldest son Scott in Burbank, California, Marian moved to Edgewood Vista in 2008. She is well remembered for her gracious smile, her friendly disposition, and her love of playing bridge. She spent many happy afternoons playing bridge among her peers at Edgewood Vista and would frequently comment on what a good card hand she had that day.