James Welke, age 79 of Willow City passed away peacefully in his home on Wednesday, January 28. A family graveside service will be held for Jim in the Spring at the Willow City Cemetery.  Friends and family are encouraged to sign the online guestbook on Nerofuneralhome.net .  Any memorials received will be donated to the Willow City Fire Department in remembrance of James

James Welke, son of Harold and Pearl (Fahrnkopf) Welke, was born in Bottineau on January 27, 1947.  He attended a one room schoolhouse in rural Willow City  and graduated from Natrona County High School in Casper, Wyoming. After attending college in Casper, WY he married Joan Myers on March 6, 1965. In 1967 they returned to North Dakota to farm and raise their family. He worked as a bus driver, at the Willow City Post Office for almost 30 years, was an EMT, and county assessor.

Jim never met a stranger, loved to visit, tell jokes and play cards, and was an avid hunter and enjoyed being on the farm and fishing.  He had close friends he loved like family to whom he talked daily.  He adored spending time with his 6 grandchildren Taylor (Karsen),  Rachel , Delaney, Matthew,  Allison and Savannah and great grand child Emmett James.

He was an only child and was preceded in death by his parents. James is survived by his wife of 60 years Joan , and daughters Leslie (Todd) Jundt , Lori (Rich) Morin and  Linda McCall (Mike Tuenge).