James “Jim” Locken

James David Locken was born January 27, 1953, in Stanley, to John and Pauline (Buee) Locken. He was the second youngest out of 14 children and raised on the family farm northeast of New Town. He attended country school before transferring to New Town Public School where he graduated in 1972.

On November 5, 1977, Jim and Sherry Miller were united in marriage; they made their home in New Town before moving to their ranch in 1983. They were blessed with children and grandchildren whom he truly adored. His greatest love was his family. Chayse was his shadow and Jordyn looked up to her grandpa “who was a really great man.”

Jim began his lifelong career working in the oil field at the age of 19, but he enjoyed being outdoors and started ranching as a hobby. Most recently, he worked for Murex Petroleum in Tioga. Throughout the years he was self-employed and worked for several businesses in addition to ranching.

He liked hunting deer and elk and had a bear-hunting trip planned for next week. He was a cowboy at heart and liked to listen to old, twangy country music. Jim was always kind and friendly; he was able to visit with anyone. His kind heart and friendly smile will be greatly missed. James “Jim” Locken, 70, New Town, died at a Tioga hospital on Tuesday, May 9, 2023.

Jim is survived by his wife of 45 years, Sherry Locken; daughter and son-in-law, Kara and Velbert Whitfield; granddaughter, Jordyn Whitfield; grandson, Chayse Whitfield; brothers, Daryl (Pam), Paul, Lyle, Johnnie, and Norman; sisters, Betty (Rusty) Deserly, Sharon Wasicek, and June Dokken; and many extended family members.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Seth Locken; brother, Lenard; sisters, Clara, Laura, Ella, and Norma; and parents-in-law, Elmer and Dorothy Miller.

Memorial Service: Wednesday, May 17, 2023, at 11 a.m. at Bethel Lutheran, New Town.

Interment of Cremains: New Town Cemetery, New Town.

(Langhans Funeral Home, Parshall www.langhansfuneralhome.com).

Published by The Minot Daily News, May 13, 2023.