James "Jim" Birrenkott

James "Jim" Patrick Birrenkott, 44, Steele, died June 21, 2007, at his home after a courageous 18-month battle with brain cancer. Mass of Christian burial will take place on Monday, June 25 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, Steele, with the Rev. Jerome Hunkler officiating. Fellowship will be held at the Steele Amvets after mass. Visitation will be held from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm Saturday and continue from 12:00 Noon until 5:30 PM Sunday at Eastgate Steele Memorial Chapel, Steele. Visitation will continue one hour prior to services at the church. A prayer service will be held at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, Steele, on Sunday, June 24 at 7:00 p.m. Jim was born in Bismarck on November 26, 1962, to Joe and Rosemarie Keily Birrenkott. He grew up on a sheep farm near Dawson. It was here that his love of the outdoors and farming was formed. Jim graduated in 1981 from Steele-Dawson High School. After graduation, Jim went south with a crew to do custom harvesting. He then went to work for Edwin Mittleider. He also did seasonal work shearing sheep in the Dakotas and Montana. Jim eventually became his own boss when he started South Central Excavating with Mike Mittleider. Jim sold that business in 2004 and went back to farming and ranching on the home place where he grew up. Jim was also a member of the Steele Farmers Elevator Board. Jim married Sharon Ohlhauser Birrenkott on April 4, 1987, in Steele. They were blessed with two daughters, Danielle Dawn on October 3, 1988, and Samantha Jane on February 18, 1990. Jim liked to go fishing with his good friend Elmer Harpole and in recent years he took up golfing which he enjoyed more than he thought he would! He also enjoyed singing and listening to music. Many will remember his Jimmy Buffet songs. He cherished time spent with family and friends. Grateful to have shared his life is his loving wife, Sharon and daughters, Dani and Sam of Steele; his father, Joe Birrenkott, Dawson; his mother, Rosemarie Birrenkott, Steele; five brothers and three sisters-in-law, Joe D. Nancy Birrenkott, Casselton; Tim Chris Birrenkott, Tekoa, WA; John Birrenkott, Steele; Paul Birrenkott, Steele; and Bill Rae Birrenkott, Jamestown; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Mary Pat James Dewald, Steele; and Kathleen Trevor Moch, Minot. Also sharing his life were his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Reinie and Gladys Ohlhauser, Bismarck; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Les Ohlhauser, Aurora, CO; Sally Rippley, Bismarck; Roger Lisa Ohlhauser, Boise, ID; Tina Kambeitz, Bismarck; and Scott Ohlhauser, Hazelton; and many nephews and nieces, aunts and uncles, cousins, and friends.

James "Jim" Birrenkott

November 26, 1962 - June 21, 2007