Jim was a special friend to others. He put his friends and family first in his life. If you asked him for help, he was there for you always.
He loved to hunt and fish in his free time, going to his brother’s in Montana yearly, hunting deer and fishing in the lakes.
He helped teach the hunter safety program at the State Fair yearly. He enjoyed teaching children how to hunt and fish and they enjoyed being with him. He was a good teacher.
He especially liked to make jewelry and had the equipment to do so. He gave many finished pieces to friends and family and they enjoyed receiving them.
He was there for friends and family, helping them build or remodel their homes.
He grew up on a farm and learned what hard work was all about at an early age. There were no chores he could not learn to do. He would never say “no” if you asked him for help.
He was a great storyteller, keeping his audiences enthralled – especially stories about hunting.
As a husband, he made me feel like a queen and was always there for me. I liked his kindness, his love for family and friends, his upbeat personality, and his friendship with so many people.
He was liked by everyone he met. He is greatly missed by all who knew him.
-Wife Diane Norvell
This article appears in January 1-7, 2026.
