Leo James ‘Jim’ Seyfert

Leo James "Jim" Seyfert, 68, Minot, and formerly of Fortuna and Beulah, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, May 14, 2009, in his home.

Jim was born on Jan. 29, 1941, in Ambrose. He was the first born to Leo and Blanche (Hayes) Seyfert. He was reared on a farm north of Fortuna until the family moved into Fortuna, where he graduated from Fortuna High School in 1960.

Jim began working in road construction in the Minot area with his dad when he was 16 years old. He was employed on projects near Minot, Columbus, Beulah, I-94 near Moorhead, Minn., and throughout the Red River Valley, Minnesota and South Dakota. He was employed by the Army Corps of Engineers building dikes on the river in Minot during the flood fights of 1969 and the 1970s. He excelled in all aspects of road construction from truck driver to heavy equipment operator and mechanic. He was very respected for his knowledge and the quality of his workmanship.

He resided in Everett, Wash., for a short time where he was employed as a welder's apprentice in the shipyards of Seattle. Jim had a passion for welding and could practically make a piece of metal talk. He resided in Beulah prior to moving to Minot in 1983, where he was employed by Aggregate Construction prior to his retirement in November 2002.

Jim was a member of the Teamsters and Operating Engineers unions and a former member of the Eagles Aerie. He especially enjoyed deer hunting, fishing, motorcycles, sporty cars and pickup trucks, traveling and welding. He was a devoted fan of Hank Williams Sr. and country music. During his childhood on the farm near Fortuna, Jim loved the horses at his grandparents' farm. He had a special appreciation for cars and trucks and was an excellent mechanic.

Survivors include: mother, Blanche Seyfert of Minot; children, James (Yan) Seyfert of Centerville, Mo., Brian Seyfert of Marana, Ariz., Sherri Seyfert and Janelle Begman, both of Tucson, Ariz.; grandchildren, Dustin, Christopher, Wyatt and Hangyu; brother, Robert (Barbara) Seyfert of Burnsville, Minn.; niece, Becky, and nephew, Chad.

Jim was preceded in death by his father.

Funeral service: Wednesday, May 27, 2009, at 11 a.m. in the Thomas Family Funeral Home Chapel, Minot.

Interment: Will be in Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot.

Visitation: Today, May 26, from 2 to 7 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home.

Those wanting to sign the online memorial register or share memories and condolences are invited to use the expressions of sympathy section at (www.thomasfamilyfuneralhome.com).