James Bettenhausen, 79, of Wishek, ND, died July 30, 2026, at his home with his family by his side. A committal service will be held September 11, 2026, at St James Lutheran Cemetery at 10:00 am. A celebration of life luncheon at St Luke Lutheran Church, Wishek will follow the committal service.

James Bettenhausen was born in McIntosh County to Herman and Irene (Vossler) Bettenhausen on January 29, 1947. He attended rural school until 8th grade at which time the area rural schools were consolidated with Wishek Public School.

James was fifteen years old when his father died of injuries suffered in a motor vehicle accident. As the eldest of nine children James made the choice of assisting his mother in managing the family farm which consisted of raising beef cattle, pigs, chickens and dairy cattle as well as seeding and harvesting small grains.

After graduation from high school in 1965 James studied to be a machinist at the ND State School of Science in Wahpeton, North Dakota. He achieved a two-year degree and moved to California to accept a job as a machinist. He continued that job until he was drafted for service in the United States Army. He served in the army from September 1967 until November of 1969. He attended Advanced Individual Training at Fort Gordon, Georgia where he was trained as a radio operator. Upon completion of training, he was stationed in Germany for the remainder of his service obligation.

James was attached to the 1st Missile Battery, 67th Artillery. He and his fellow radio operators were tasked with maintaining communications for fifty-two radio channels.

During his time in Germany James took the opportunity to travel to France, Belgium, England and Holland spending a week in each country.

After his honorable discharge from the United States Army James returned to Wishek again assisting his mother with the management of the family farm and accepted employment with Wishek Steel and Manufacturing as a machinist.

He was an avid snowmobiler and joined the local snowmobile club. James participated in races across the state. In 1973 he earned first place in year end points total. He was awarded the 1973 Olympia Cup Championship Trophy.

On May 31, 1974, James and Doris Meidinger were married. They were together for fifty-two years and raised two sons, Michael and Matthew.

James was active in the community and held offices in several community service organizations. He was the American Legion Fred Kelle Post 87 Commander for eight years. He was a founding member and president of both the local Dollars for Scholars Chapter and the Dakota Saddle Club.

Furthering his interest in farming and ranching James and his family purchased a rural property and young beef stock. Their summers were spent attending to the needs of the livestock. Their livestock venture continued for twenty years expanding from a seasonal purchase and sale of fifty head to a seasonal purchase and sale of three hundred head.

James Bettenhausen passed away under the care of hospice in the early morning hours of July 30, 2026. He was preceded in death by his parents Herman and Irene Bettenhausen and his son Matthew Bettenhausen.

He is survived by his wife Doris, his son Michael (Sandra) and grandsons Joseph (Aimee) and Patrick. His siblings Carol (Ed) Koegler, William (Sarah) Bettenhausen, Jerome (Marilyn) Bettenhausen, Nancy (Gary) Fuchs, Lyle (Karen) Bettenhausen, Jack (Beverly) Bettenhausen, Stella Crom and Donald Bettenhausen.