James "Jim" Messmer, 78, of Bowman, ND, passed away on August 7, 2024 at the Southwest Healthcare Services in Bowman.

Mass of Christian Burial for James "Jim" Messmer will be held on Monday, August 12, 2024 at 10:00 am at the St. Charles Catholic Church in Bowman. Fr. Ben Franchuk will celebrate the Mass with burial to follow in the Bowman Cemetery. There will be a Rosary and Vigil Service for Jim on Sunday evening, August 11, 2024 at the St. Charles Catholic Church beginning at 7:00 pm.

James Robert Messmer, 78, of Bowman, ND, passed away from lung cancer on August 7, 2024 at Southwest Healthcare Services in Bowman. Although the end was difficult for Jim, he will always be remembered as the smiling, good-natured loving brother and uncle that he was. He will be deeply missed by family and friends.

Jim was born on February 17, 1946 to Roy and Kathryn Messmer. He lived and retired in Bowman after working at Super Valu for several years and Sax Motors where he always appreciated seeing people from the community.

Fishing, especially his trip to Canada with friends, golfing, hunting, camping, watching old and new westerns, playing cards, cheering on local sports teams, and traveling were Jim's favorite pastimes. A very memorable traveling experience for Jim was when he and his bowling team traveled to Nevada where they bowled in a national bowling tournament. He was an expert in putting together challenging jigsaw puzzles. Jim also had a great love for decorating his home for the holidays and had an enormous collection of holiday village ceramics which he delighted in displaying and sharing with others.

Jim is preceded in death by his father (Roy Messmer), mother (Kathryn Messmer), brother (LeRoy Messmer), sisters (Irene Lampl, Joan Helten, Kathryn Messmer, and Geraldine Messmer) and brothers-in-law (Roy Lampl and Clarence Zacher).

He is survived by and will always be remembered with much love by his family: Betty Zacher, Ann and James Walby, William and Jennifer Messmer, and Bob Helten. Jim will also be remembered as a deeply loving uncle to his fourteen nieces and nephews, as well as his many great-nieces and great-nephews.