James Dignan, age 87 of Lake Metigoshe, died Friday on arrival to a Bottineau hospital.  A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, July 3, 2019 at 10:00 am at the Lake Metigoshe Christian Center.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be given to the Metigoshe Lutheran Church or Camp Metigoshe.

Jim was born April 19, 1932, on a farm near Coteau, ND, to John and Mary (Bogus) Dignan. He was one of five children.

Jim graduated from Bowbells High School in 1950. He worked at several jobs, then joined the U.S. Army where he served in the United States and Germany.

After his discharge in 1954, he worked in Minneapolis for a year before starting school at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks. He graduated a "Fighting Sioux" in 1958 with a Bachelor's degree in Business Management.

Jim and Diane (Page) of Mohall were married in Grand Forks in 1955. After graduation they moved to Mohall where Jim started work for Page Bros. Inc. a John Deere dealership, owned by his father-in-law, A.F. (Pete) Page. He and Diane later purchased and ran the business for many years.

In Mohall, Jim served as a volunteer fireman and EMT and an active Jaycee member, and enjoyed following Yellowjacket sports. He was a member of the Mohall Methodist Church. In the mid-1970s Jim and Diane bought a lot at Lake Metigoshe, where they built a log cabin home which became their favorite place. They sold the implement business and moved to Metigoshe permanently.

Jim found full time retirement a little boring, so he spent some time working for Theel Inc. in Bottineau, sold insurance, and traveled the U.S. delivering machinery for a relative of Diane's. He ended his paid employment days and joined Diane as a "Lake Bum". He served as a Metigoshe Lion for many years and mowed ditches around the lake for Roland township, a job he truly loved.

Jim became an avid woodworker and was well-known for his ducks, trolls, and other miscellaneous carvings. He had many friends, but his best buddy was 4-legged Charlie the dog. He will be missed by all who knew him.

Jim is survived by wife Diane, sons Jim (Char) , Steve (Connie), grandchildren Matt (Brie), Christopher (Leetal), Jessica (Michael), Jay (Kelley), great-grandchildren Frances, Mae, and third great granddaughter arriving in August. Sisters Hellen (Lawrence) Liddiard, Teresa (Rich) Hull, many nieces and nephews. And Charlie the dog.

He was preceded in death by parents John and Mary, brothers Jack and Father Thomas, sister-in-law Mary Jo, in-laws Pete (A.F.) and Alta Page. Niece Monica Liddiard.

God bless the memory of Jim Dignan. May he rest in peace.