James "Jim" Vig

James “Jim” Vig, age 91, of Fosston, MN, passed away on Friday, September 20th, at Essentia Hospital in Fargo, ND. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 28th, at Kingo Lutheran Church in Fosston with the Rev. John Ragan officiating. Interment will be in Kingo Lutheran Cemetery, Fosston. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service on Friday, September 26th, at the Carlin Funeral Home in Fosston. There will also be reviewal for one hour prior to the service on Saturday morning at the church. Arrangements are with Carlin Family Funeral Service of Fosston and messages of condolence may be shared at www.carlinfuneral.com. 

James Donald Vig was born on January 14, 1933, on the family farm in Rosebud Township to parents Diane Ranisate and Carl Vig. Jim was baptized and confirmed at Hope Lutheran Church, Fosston. He attended Willow Grove Country school for 8 years and then 4 years at Fosston High School, graduating in 1950.

After High School Jim worked for a short time in Montana and North Dakota during the summer and Minneapolis during the winter before returning home to farm with his dad and brother Harold. Eventually he and his brother took over the farm and it became Vig Brothers Farm. 

Jim was united in marriage to Donna Knutson on June 10, 1961. Together they raised 5 children on the family farm. 

Jim loved to farm. Driving tractors, Combines, motorcycles, snowmobiles, whatever had a motor he drove it. He also flew Champ and Cessna planes in the 70’s and 80’s. He also served on many Ag related boards and the Kingo church board a few times. 

Jim “retired” from Vig Brothers Farm in 1995 but continued to be involved in Vig Farms until officially retiring September 20th, 2024. As someone put it, he’s driving a JD combine in heaven now. Jim and Donna traveled in a RV for many years around the United States. Early on with a group of friends and in later years at RV camp grounds in Lake Havasu, AZ. 

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Donna, 4 sons all of Fosson - Gene (Peggy), Jon (Sharon), Steve (Rhonda Jasperson), Mike (Terisa) and daughter Sally (Keith) Geray of Mahnomen, Brothers Harold Vig, Fosston, Tom Lowman, Texas and Sister Vonnie Lowman, Scottsdale, AZ. Sister-in-law Norma Vig, Minneapolis, MN. Grandchildren – Wendy (Scott) Kearns, Jesseca (Gerald) Holt, Bonnie (Ben) Ferrara, Candace (Chelsea) Vig, Ashley (Blake) Sjodin, Matthew (Mallory) Vig, Chris Geray, Darin (Katie) Geray, Nick (Tanya Bring) Vig, Karley (Blake) Neeland, Trevor Vig, Tanner Vig. 16 great grandchildren and many bonus grandchildren and great grandchildren. 

He was preceded in death by his parents Carl Vig and Diane Lowman, Brothers Charles (Chuck) Vig, Robert Lowman, Grandson David Vig, Sister-in-law Gladys Vig and step grandson, Chris Nyland.