James L. Hellman

James Leo Hellman, 86, of Mandan, ND, departed this world on August 24, 2023, following a brave battle with Parkinson’s Disease.  Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 AM on Friday, September 1, 2023, at Christ the King Catholic Church in Mandan with Fr. Fred Harvey celebrating. Burial will follow at Mandan Union Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-7 PM with a Knights of Columbus Rosary and Parish Vigil at 7 PM at Weigel Funeral Home in Mandan.

James (Jim) was born February 22, 1937, near Almont, ND to John and Mary (Paul) Hellman.  He attended the local school before working on the family farm, after which he worked numerous jobs including ranch hand and road construction before he began working at Chase Chevrolet as assistant parts manager.  Jim married Edith (Edie) Schafer in Mandan in 1959 and they raised their family there until 1987. Beginning in 1972 Jim worked as parts manager for Ditch Witch of ND.  After a brief time in Minot, Jim and Edie moved to West Fargo-Fargo where they remained for over thirty years until Edie’s death in 2022.  While in West Fargo, he was employed as general manager of Northern Engine Supply.  Jim was an active member of the Junior Chamber of Commerce (Jaycees) and Knights of Columbus (KCs), serving twice as Grand Knight and as District Deputy.  He achieved Fourth Degree status in the KCs and traveled with the organization’s degree team, frequently as its leader.  In 1985, Jim and Edie’s family were named Knights of Columbus International Catholic Family of the Year.  Jim loved to plant and tend to his annual vegetable garden and was an avid fan of the Twins and the Vikings.  Despite his busy professional life, Jim always made time to attend the many athletic, musical, and dramatic events of his eight children.  Nothing brought him greater joy in later life than the time he was able to spend with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

James is survived by his children: Wesley Hellman and Kym Staples, Bismarck, ND; Rebecca and Roger Tangen, West Fargo, ND; Gregory and Lori Hellman, Thornton, IA; Sandra and Jeff Swallow, Mandan, ND; Bradley and Cheryl Hellman, Mandan, ND; Randy and Pam Hellman, Maple Grove, MN; Deanna Faller, West Fargo, ND; Bonita and Trent Green, Overland Park, KS; twenty-eight grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; twenty-four great-grandchildren; three step-great-grandchildren, and dozens of nephews and nieces.  He is also survived by his brothers, Ted, Jerald and Donald (Cheryl), sister-in-law Josephine (Matt) Erhardt, brother-in-law Art (Doreen) Hellman, and stepbrothers-in-law David Wetsch, Jim (Jean) Wetsch, and George (Jan) Wetsch. 

Jim was preceded in death by his wife Edie to whom he was married for 63 years, his parents, his parents-in-law Valentine and Elizabeth (Jantzer) Schafer, his stepmother-in-law Veronica (Wetsch) Schafer, sister Claudia and her husband Don Heinle, brothers Roger and Frederick Hellman, son-in-law Shawn Faller, sisters-in law Johanna Olson and Pauline Hellman, and two grandsons, Michael Hellman and Jared Swallow. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Jim’s honor may be made payable to Wedges Fore Welders and sent to 414 6th Street W., West Fargo, ND 58078.