Obituary: James Leadbetter

James Leadbetter

James A. Leadbetter passed away December 9, 2023, at SMP Health – St. Raphael, Valley City, N.D., under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley at the age of 99.

His funeral service was at 11:00 a.m., on Saturday, December 16 at Oliver-Nathan Funeral Chapel, Valley City with visitation one hour before the funeral service at the chapel. Burial will be at Memory Gardens in the spring.

James Arthur Leadbetter was born December 7, 1924, to Olive (Bragg) and Harrison D. Leadbetter in Baldwin Township, Luverne, N.D. He was confirmed at Minnie Lake Lutheran Church and was the only student in his class, graduating in 1943 from Baldwin High School.

Jim loved to play basketball and played in the Barnes County Tournament.

He was called to duty in WWII, while on the bus to basic training the war ended.

Jim met his future wife while in school and on June 12, 1945 he married Virginia Weaver. They farmed in Baldwin and Grand Prairie Township for 54 years before moving to Valley City in 1999. To this union four children were born: Gerald (Pearl), Battle Lake, Minn., James (Marie) Valley City, Randy (Barb) Carrington, N.D., and Janell (Kenneth) Grudniewski, Fulda, Minn. Jim was also blessed with 12 grandchildren, Lisa (Patrick) Eisele, Jeremy Leadbetter, Nicholas Leadbetter, Jill (Jeff) Olson, Kristin (Michael Lyman) Leadbetter, Michael (Melanie) Leadbetter, Trudy (Rob) Hanson, Breanna (JD) Dunn, Sean (Sami Morris) Leadbetter, Amy (Mike) Singsaath, Kendra (Chris) Roberts, Amber (Jason) Biling and 19 great-grandchildren.

Jim was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia; his parents; a sister, Evelyn Flesberg; a brother, Dwayne; half-brother, Kenneth Heimbush and half-sister, Kathleen Tobleman.

He was a member of the Grand Prairie and Pillsbury School Board and Valley City Eagles Club for 56 years where he met his very special friend Doris Aas. They loved to dance and play music together.

A very special thank you to Virginia Zubrod and Hospice of the Red River Valley for the wonderful care Jim received.

Arrangements by Oliver-Nathan Funeral Chapel, Valley City, N.D.