James Erick Lunde, 74, passed away September 12, 2023 at Jamestown Regional Medical Center in Jamestown, ND with family by his side. Jim was born September 14, 1948 in Fergus Falls, MN. He was the fifth child of (John) Morris and Hildegard (Foertsch) Lunde and grew up on the family dairy farm. Jim attended Country School District 96 through sixth grade and graduated in 1966 from Fergus Falls High School.
On September 7, 1968 Jim married Becky Domholt in Fergus Falls, MN. They had three children; Jennifer, Christopher and Stephanie. He worked for Ringdahl Ambulance Service and Soby Construction. In 1978 the family moved to Jamestown where he managed the Jamestown Area Ambulance Service and he and Becky started Specialties Unlimited.
On November 26, 1988 Jim married Susan Hering in Jamestown. They built two homes while in town and eventually ended up in the country until Jim sold the ambulance service in 2004 and retired. He spent the next four years driving bus for Dietrich Bus Service. He loved to travel, taking patrons all over for various adventures and he especially loved driving bus for the high school hockey team while his grandson, Erick, was playing hockey.
Jim spent more than 40 years in the ambulance business as a driver, Paramedic and owner. He was very active in the Jamestown community. He belonged to the Lions Club and on September 12, 2023 was awarded the Melvin Jones Fellowship. He was also a member of the Special Deputies, sat on the First Community Credit Union Board of Directors, was president of the Chamber of Commerce and was a member of the 911 Coalition for the Local Emergency Planning Committee.
In 2008 Jim and Sue moved to California for a short time, returning to the North Dakota/Montana area in 2010. To keep busy while Sue continued to work, Jim took up woodworking and made various products out of pallet wood. He also had a gift turning horse shoes into art. During the harvest season he would travel to Riverdale, ND and help his son-in-law by hauling potatoes to the plant in Jamestown. He also helped with field work in the spring to prep fields for planting. He loved driving the big machinery and spending time on that farm.
In 2021 Jim and Sue returned to Jamestown after Sue retired so they could be closer to family. Jim loved his sheltie dogs, cruising on big ships, camping, fishing and hunting, morning coffee and long conversations. He was an avid lover of hockey, following his grandchildren, the Minnesota Wild and the UND Sioux. He also followed NASCAR and even had a pit pass for the Daytona 500 in 2004. He was loved by his family and will be deeply missed.
Jim is survived by his wife of 34 years, Susan Lunde; children Jennifer (Mike) Bowerman, Washburn, ND, Christopher (Renae) Lunde, Jamestown, Stephanie (Jake) Caspers, Moorhead, MN; grandchildren Erick (Becky) Paiement, Megan (Tyler) Snow, Zachary, Grant and Anna Lunde, Signe and Ryder Caspers; great-grandchildren Sophie Snow, Austyn and MacKenzie Anderson and Parker Paiement; siblings Arlene Worner, Fergus Falls, MN, Joann (Lee) Holzer, Hayden, ID, Connie (Ron) Neuman, Rochester, MN and sister-in-law Georga (John) Lunde, Fergus Falls, MN along with many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Jim was preceded in death by his mother-in-law, Doris Hering, brother-in-law, Mikkel Hering, brother, John Lunde, brother-in-law, James Worner and his parents, (John) Morris and Hildegard Lunde.
Funeral Service - 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, September 19, 2023 at New Hope Free Lutheran Church, Jamestown, with Pastor Steve Berntson officiating.
Visitation - 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday, September 18, 2023 at Eddy Funeral Home.