James Olaf Bockwitz, 62

James Olaf Bockwitz, 62, Fergus Falls, Minn., passed away at Sanford Health in Fargo, N.D., on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, from COVID-19.
James was born Nov. 22, 1958, in Hallock, Minn. He attended school in Hallock and also Humboldt, Minn., graduating in 1978. He then joined the U.S. Navy in July 1978. He was honorably discharged in November 1980. After his discharge, he worked for a few years in Chicago. He then left the city and went to Grafton, N.D., where he was employed at the State Development Center. It was here he met his future wife, Catherine Sevigny. James worked with the male residents and Catherine with the female residents. They fell in love and were married Aug. 12, 1988.
The family moved to Lake City, Minn., where they lived for three years. Then they moved to Rochester, Minn., before moving back to the Grafton area in Park River, N.D. Jim was employed cutting iron and obtaining parts for customers with the Portor Company. They moved to Grygla, Minn., where Jim was employed with Arctic Cat and worked on the front arms of ATVs. He was known as the “grandfather of the front arms.” After 12 years of employment there, Jim, Catherine and their family made their last move to Fergus Falls.
Jim is survived by: his wife, Catherine Bockwitz; four children: Brandie Sevigny, Thief River Falls, Minn., James Jr., of Fergus Falls, Matthew of Fergus Falls, and Tanya Bockwitz of New Ulm, Minn; three grandchildren, Aaliyah, Ryan and Ethan Bradshaw; siblings, Theresa (Rick) Rigsby, Yuba City, Calif., Debra Dahlin, Ulen, Minn., Mark Rabe, Topeka, Kan., Virginia Bockwitz, Topeka, Karen (Pete) Denilaitis, Mt. Juliet, Tenn.; and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and friends.
James was preceded in death by: his parents, August and Audrey Rabe; step-father, Virgil Bockwitz; and numerous other relatives and friends.
Glende-Nilson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls, was in charge of the arrangements. www.glendenilson.com.