JAMES GOETTLE – A LIFE OF SERVICE

James (Jim) Albert Goettle was born November 15, 1944, to Leonard and Annie. The third of ultimately nine children, he was in the third generation of the Goettle Ranch located in the rolling hills west of Donnybrook. Jim attended St. Agnes Boarding School, Stave Township one-room school house and graduated Donnybrook High School.

Jim’s service in the Navy started in 1965 during the Vietnam War. He married Doris Lautenschlager on August 17, 1967, at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Berthold. Jim was honorably discharged from the Navy in September 1969. They had five children: Shane, Jilene, Elaine, Justin and Wyatt.

Family life revolved around cattle, sheep, dairy and small grains. Jim was a member of the North Dakota Stockmans’ Association, area Sheep Producers, and the North Dakota Lamb & Wool Producers, where he was awarded the 1984 North Dakota Master Sheep Producer Award. He was recognized as an NDSU Harvest Bowl Honoree. Jim also ventured into custom spraying, dairy artificial insemination, and U.S. Postal mail carrier. He was also an owner of JAG Gravel.

Faith, patriotism and civic service imbued Jim’s life. During his lifetime he was a practicing Catholic and member of the Knights of Columbus. He was a proud Navy veteran and remained active in several veterans’ groups, including the American Legion Post 195 (Donnybrook), VFW 7049 (Kenmare), and Vietnam Vets of America (Chapter 487). He dedicated hours of public service to the Stave Township Board, the Donnybrook Rural Fire Department and various Mountrail County organizations, including the Ag Association, Atmospheric Resource Board, School Reorganization Board and Social Services Board. He was also a member of the Coulee Farmers Union.

Jim took pride in his family and supported his children’s and grandchildren’s involvement in 4-H, FFA, sports, music, speech, and other extracurricular activities. He was a 4-H leader for the Mountrail Mavericks club and named an Honorary Member of the Stanley FFA Chapter.

Jim loved hunting and was an NRA member. He liked playing cards, especially whist. He also spoke fondly of his involvement in the Blaisdell Rodeo Club and the Rolling Hills Saddle Club, which included square dancing with horses! He and Doris were members of the Twist & Twirl Square Dance Club. Jim’s family will long remember his laughter, passion for history, love of western books (anything by Louis L'Amour) and western movies (especially John Wayne).
Jim is survived by his wife, Doris, five children, 13 grandchildren, and one great grandchild. Children: Shane (Brenda), Jilene Zerr (Lonny), Elaine Brookhouser, Justin and Wyatt (Rebecca). Grandchildren: Dominick, Rachel (Matthew), Kathryn, John, Grace and Rita; Jessie (Cadi) and Derek Zerr; Nichole and Michelle Brookhouser; and Carter, Landon and Hailey. Great-grandchild: Sylvia. He is also survived by eight siblings and their families: Jack (MaryJo), Leon, Joyce Bly (Andy), Lawrence (Nancy), Margaret, Daniel, Laureen Klein (Bob) and Monica Dessonville (Ron). He was preceded in death by his parents, Leonard and Annie.

Memorial Contribution