James Geisen

James V. Geisen, 87, of Mentor and Fosston MN, formerly of Thief River Falls MN passed away at his home on July 7, 2008 surrounded by the love of his family. Memorial mass will be held on Saturday, August 9 at 11:00 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Fosston with Father David Super officiating. Interment will be at the Greenwood Cemetery in Fisher, MN.James was born to Valentine Geisen and Anna (Klier) Geisen in Bisbee ND on December 14, 1920. James grew up and attended school in Bisbee. As a teenager, he often worked with his father in their family business, a soda fountain/pool hall in Bisbee ND.James attended Aakers Business College in Grand Forks ND, where he met Leola Wallnofer. On May 7, 1941 they were united in marriage and at the time of James death, he and Leola had celebrated 67 years of marriage.After Aakers, James was employed in the banking business in Fordville, ND. In 1942 during WW II, James was drafted into the Army and trained as a cryptographer. For the next three years he was stationed in France and England. He was honorably discharged after an accident that severely broke his leg.James became partners in the Grand Forks Credit and Collection Bureau. In 1947, James and Leola purchased their first home in Fisher MN, they later bought a home in East Grand Forks and in about 1952, the family moved to a farm in Mentor MN. For the next 50 years, this property served as the special family gathering place for all the children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. It was at "the farm" that all the generations formed lasting memories of everyone being together.In 1954 James purchased the Thief River Falls Credit Bureau and remained there until his retirement in 1967. Then Jim and Leola moved to Loveland, Colorado where Jim came out of retirement to manage the Loveland Hospital Collection Department for several years. About 1974, James and Leola moved back to Minnesota and for the next 34 years spent their winters in Apache Junction Arizona.James is survived by his wife Leola (Wallnofer) Geisen, one sister Ramona Severaid of Billings MO, four children, Kris (Sharon) Geisen of Bemidji MN, Rebecca Geisen Larson of Menahga MN, Debora (Don) Ley of Canon City CO, and Jill (Jesse) Geisen Clack of Park Rapids MN. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren (Andy and Adam Ramberg, Jacent, Jeremy and Samantha Ley, Shannon and Brandon Geisen and Kristin, Brett and Jed Larson) and 11 great grandchildren. James was preceded in death by his mother and father and one sister, Lois Novotny.James took special delight in his grandchildren and will always have a special place in their hearts. He showed great patience with them as they followed him around fixing machines, building things, and sharing his love of the outdoors with them. Being an avid hunter, he served as mentor, partner and outfitter for the entire family.Inspired by his creativity, James made beautiful leather work using the hand made tools he had designed while he was rehabilitating his broken leg in the veterans hospital. Later he became a rock hound and tumbled, cut, polished and then set them in silver, turning his collection of special stones into beautiful, unique jewelry. Jim had a strong work ethic mixed with a spirit of fun and adventure. He enjoyed traveling, collecting antique items, playing golf and pool, planting huge gardens, and engaging his family in lively debates.James Geisen was a loving father, a man of great integrity, wit and intelligence, a man devoted to his wife and family. He will be greatly missed by all.