James Weisbeck, 91, Herreid, SD was called home by his Lord and Savior on April 7, 2023 in Linton, ND.  Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday, April 14, 2023 at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Herreid with Father Mark Axtmann officiating.  Interment will be held in the spring at St. Peter & Paul Catholic Cemetery in Strasburg, ND with military honors.  There will be a rosary and prayer service on Thursday at 7:00 PM at the church in Herreid.

God Made a Farmer

A formal education not beyond 6 ^th grade, text books could never teach what you gathered and what you gave.   A young man, just 21 years old, about to experience the biggest adventure of your life. Bound for Ft. Knox Kentucky then on to Soul Korea, you took flight.  Assigned to the motor pool, you learned skills that would serve you for years to come.  You grew up quickly and saw the heartache of war. You were welcomed into the home of a total stranger who could offer abundant hospitality and a seat on his dirt floor.  You were embraced and covered by God's grace, in this forsaken place.

While bonds were created, important contributions made, your heart yearned for home where the rest of your life would wait.  That North Dakota girl stole your heart.  Her laugh, love of life and overall silliness would not allow you to be apart.  The life you built had a meager start.  It began with 20 cows, nothing too grand.  You cared not of riches but rather fixing fences, feeding cattle, sowing the land.

You have seen the good and the bad

Drought and rain, abundant water flow.

You watched a newborn calf grow.

Some was pleasure and some was pain.

Trucking and fixing flat tires filled many years of your life.

When harvest came and there was no time to stop, supper was on the table, even if it was 11 o'clock.

You were a man who enjoyed his work

Scarred hands, an occasional broken bone, a worker of the earth.

Nothing else would have fulfilled your life

By your side was always your partner, your wife.

May the warmth of the oil stove fire against your back comfort you beyond this earth.  We pray this eternal life will be for you, a joyful and glorious new birth. As you move on, Dad, there are a few things we hope you don't forget; how much you were loved and respected, every moment spent with you, we will never regret.

To some you were a simple farmer, the fruit of your work was easy to see.  Your honesty and integrity, wisdom and quiet wit will always be with me.