View James Nordquist's recorded funeral at: https://youtu.be/1UtjJJSQMJs

James Nordquist, 71, of Mercer, ND died Tuesday, June 24, 2025, at the CHI St. Alexius Hospital of Bismarck.

Funeral services will be held at the St. John's Lutheran Church of McClusky on Tuesday July 1, 2025, at 11:00 a.m.

Visitation will be on Tuesday, July 1, at the church from 9:00 a.m. until service time.

Burial will be in the McClusky City Cemetery, McClusky, ND.

James was born on December 8, 1953, in Turtle Lake, North Dakota.  He was the son of Donald and Cleo (Stickney) Nordquist.  James grew up in Washburn and he loved baseball, music and everything the Missouri River had to offer as a boy and an adult.  He graduated from Washburn High School in 1971.  He then attended Dickinson State College until 1976.  Knowing from an early age he wanted to work with his dad at the implement dealership he started the career after college.  Soon he was asked to drive school bus and he found it was a job he really enjoyed.   He drove school bus for Washburn Public Schools for 15 years.  He later drove the school bus in McClusky for 9 more years.  Jim always loved his bus kids.

In 1981, Jim and a group of friends formed a local classic rock band called Steamboat in which he was the lead singer. With music being an important part of his life, it was a perfect match for him to perform the music he enjoyed so much.

James married Tammy Henne in 1994, and they began to farm and started a cow-calf operation near Washburn.  In 1998 they decided to move the cow's northwest of McClusky to the farm where Tammy grew up.  They continued the cow-calf operation until 2020.  Jim then began working as a press operator at Polar Ware Stainless Steel Factory in 2002 till its closing in 2013.  He then began driving the bus for the McClusky School District, retiring in 2024.

While living in Washburn Jim spent 19 years with the Washburn Fire Department, 9 years on the Washburn City Council, and 4 years with the McLean County Planning Commission.

Jim was a history buff; He loved watching the History Channel and reading Time Life books on the American west and Vietnam War. Jim was proud of his father's service in World War II and consequently studied that momentous event.

Jim's siblings, as well as others, were amazed at his memory and ability to recollect events long in the past. His storytelling made these tales come to life and generated groans or laughter, depending on the circumstances surrounding the saga.

James is survived by his wife, Tammy; brother, Donald (Kathy) Nordquist, sisters, Pamela Lyson, Jennifer (Dave) Bjork, Kimberle (Brian) Kendall, Cynthia (Aaron) Krauter, special niece, Michelle Mackay, brother-in-law, Tim (Darnell) Henne, sisters-in-law, Laurie (Troy) Krein, Diana (Mike) Mudd, Corrine (Mike) Callas; numerous nieces and nephews.  James was preceded in death by his parents; brother-in-law, Charles Henne, special nephew, Tim Nordquist, and a very special brother-in-law, Royal Lyson.

Arrangements with Hertz Funeral Home of McClusky.

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