James P. Wachter

James Patrick Wachter, 82, Bismarck, died peacefully at home surrounded by family on March 18, 2008. Services will be held at 11:00 am Monday at Church of the Ascension, Bismarck with Rev. Marvin Klemmer officiating. Private family burial will be held at St. Mary's Cemetery, Bismarck. Visitation will be held from 2:00 pm until 4:00 pm Saturday and from 5:00 pm until 9:00 pm Sunday at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck where a vigil will begin at 7:00 pm Sunday. Jim was born on March 13, 1926, in Bismarck, the son of Eugene and Helen Brosnahan Wachter. He attended St. Mary's Grade School and High School. At the age of 17, Jim entered the U.S. Navy in 1943 and served in the Pacific Theatre during WWII. Following his honorable discharge in 1947, Jim returned to Bismarck and attended BJC. He joined his father in operating the family cattle ranch in Morton, Burleigh and Oliver Counties. Jim married Roberta Hogue on February 18, 1950 in Bismarck. They made their home in Bismarck and Jim continued working on the family ranch. Jim had a deep respect and love for the land. In addition to working hard developing and improving his cattle operations, he had a passion for breeding championship quarter horses. He was always looking forward to his next project and creating innovative ways to improve the ranch. Jim was a man with vision; who, along with his cousin, Paul Wachter Jr. followed their dreams in developing the first large enclosed shopping center in North Dakota, Kirkwood Mall. They also developed many of the commercial properties in Bismarck's south side, including Kirkwood Motor Inn Ramkota, the Kirkwood Office Tower and Kirkwood Bank among other businesses. What we now enjoy as the Bismarck Civic Center was once where the Wachter cattle yards were located. Jim's family was one of the early settlers in Bismarck and Jim took much pride in supporting the community and contributing to Bismarck's development. Jim was very proud to have served on the Thomas and Frances Leach Foundation for 31 years and liked seeing the benefits the board accomplished. He was a charter member of the Apple Creek Country Club, board member of St. Alexius Hospital, a director of Kirkwood Bank, a lifetime member and on the board of the ND Stockmen's association, on the board of trustees at University of Mary and a lifetime member of the Elks. For 25 years, Jim and Roberta loved spending time with family and friends at their summer home on Pelican Lake, MN and have enjoyed many lasting friendships. Jim and Roberta traveled extensively, including a number of special trips to Grunbach, Germany where Jim's family originated, visiting and staying with the German Wachter family who still own and operate one of the community's first hotels built in 1803. In retirement, Jim enjoyed working in his yard and flower gardens. Above all else, Jim loved his wife and family and made them the center of his life. Jim was very proud of his children and grandchildren, and their accomplishments; he always had fun going to and hearing about all their activities. Jim is survived by his wife, Roberta; his sons, Patrick Louise Wachter and Michael Kelly Wachter all of Bismarck, ND; his daughters, Cindy Michael Huelskamp of Bismarck, ND and Carolyn Michael Marak of Bend, OR; his grandchildren, Daniel Keith, Jessica Wachter, Alexa Wachter and Sarah Wachter all of Bismarck, ND; his sister, Ann Benrud of Bismarck, ND and his extended family, Kim and Corey Dahl, Gail and Tim Meland and Craig and Lea Huelskamp and their families. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Eugene and Helen; his brother, Charles Wachter and his sisters, Mary Wachter Reardon and Jane Wachter Wall. The family prefers memorials be given to the University of Mary, Shiloh Christian School, Medcenter One Hospice and Bismarck Young Life.

James P. Wachter

March 13, 1926 - March 18, 2008