James T. Vasichek

James T. Vasichek, age 85, resident of Michigan, ND, died Friday, February 28, 2020 at the Good Samaritan Society in Lakota, ND.

James Thomas Vasichek was born on May 28, 1934 (a very hot day) to James and Rose (Bina) Vasichek.  He lived in Brocket, ND, until age 4 when the family moved to the farm following the death of Jim’s grandfather.  Jim attended grade school at Perth Township #2 and one year of high school in Whitman, ND.  Jim enlisted in the army in 1953.

In 1956, it was love at first sight at a dance in Petersburg, ND, when he met Norma Kroke, daughter of Theresa & Thorney Kroke of Michigan, ND.  They were married November 14, 1956, and moved to Canada in 1960, where they owned and operated a laundromat.  After three years, they moved back to Michigan, where they purchased and operated the Michigan Implement.  Jim was very proud that the Implement continued to grow, and is now operated by the third generation as Leading Edge Equipment.

Jim and Norma had four children, Jay, Laurie, Jeff and Jill.  The loss of his son Jeff to cancer in 2013 was one of the saddest moments of his life.

Jim was an avid hunter and fisherman.  One of his great joys was working in the community on civic projects.  He was at various times a member of the City Council, a Nelson County Commissioner, a City Judge, a member of the Mall Association and the Job Development Association for Michigan.  He was involved with the American Legion and the Michigan Service Club.  He was influential in bringing the factory into Michigan as well as assisting in keeping businesses such as the Michigan Medical Clinic and the grocery store operating.

He was a fearless driver on the backroads and fields around Michigan, and one of the things that no one who worked at the Michigan Implement will forget are his calls, “I’m stuck.”

Jim is preceded in death by his son, Jeff; his parents, James and Rose Vasichek; his brother, Tom; his sisters-in-law, Jeanne Vasichek, Darby Kroke, and Bea Kroke; and his brothers-in-law, Toby Berdahl, Forrest Kroke, and Otis Kroke.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Norma; his children and their spouses, Jay (Maria) Vasichek, Laurie Vasichek, and Jill (John) West; and his daughter-in-law, Brenda Vasichek.  He is also survived by his brothers and their spouses, Robert (Carmen) and Richard (Bonnie) Vasichek; sister-in-law, Linda Vasichek; and his brothers and sisters-in-law, Betty Kroke, Keith Kroke, Robert Kroke, Elaine Berdahl, Steven and Evelyn Kroke, Jerome and Gayle Kroke, Neil and Trish Kroke, Mary and John Larson, Lenore Kroke, Carol and Steve Lovejoy, and Kathy Kroke.  Also surviving are seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Jim would have liked everyone to celebrate his life with good jokes, funny stories and maybe a drink or two of a favorite beverage.

The Funeral Mass will be held at St. Lawrence O’Toole Catholic Church, Michigan, ND, on Saturday, March 7, 2020 at 11:00 a.m.  Burial will be in the spring at the Michigan Cemetery.  Visitation will be held at the Church on Friday, beginning at 6:00 p.m. with a Vigil Service at 7:00 p.m.  Visitation will continue at the Church on Saturday, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Mass.

Memorials can be sent to the Michigan Cemetery Fund or the Michigan Ambulance.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of James T. Vasichek, please visit our floral store.