Mass of Christian Burial for James "Jim" Schwartz, 70, of Mott, ND will be Wednesday, April 5, 2006 at 10:30 a.m. at the St. Vincent's Catholic Church in Mott. Fr. Charles Zins and Deacon David Crane will officiate and burial will follow at the St. Vincent's Cemetery in Mott with Full Military Honors. Visitations will be from 1:00 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 4, at the Evanson Jensen Funeral Home in Mott and one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday morning. A Wake Service will be held at the church on Tuesday evening at 7:30 p.m.

James Owen Schwartz was born on April 24, 1935 at the home of his grandparents, Tom and Iva Thompson in Castle Rock Township, Hettinger County, North Dakota. He was the second of six children born to Spencer Leon Schwartz and Eleanor Alene (Thompson) Schwartz. Jim attended Mott Public Schools, graduating in May 1953. He entered the U.S. Army and served from February 1954 to February 1956. He was united in marriage to Patricia Ann Maercklein on July 13, 1959 at St. Vincent's Church, Mott, North Dakota. At the time of his marriage, he was working for John F. Swindler. They moved to Lakeville, Minnesota in the spring of 1960 where he worked at Al's Texaco. The family moved back to Mott in September of 1968. Jim bought the Standard Station at the south end of main street. After recovering from an accident in January 1973, Jim discovered that his legs couldn't take the "pounding on the cement all day" anymore. He then worked in various sales positions which involved a lot of traveling. His last position was in crop adjusting for American Agrisurance and he retired in 2002.

He was passionate about NASCAR, golfing, kids, grandchildren and the rest of his family. He also loved having fun and being on time. He believed that every job was worth doing well, and doing right the first time. The last few years of his life were a continued learning experince. He loved his computer and the many e-mails that kept him in touch with family and friends.

Jim Schwartz passed from this life at the West River Regional Medical Center in Hettinger, ND on Saturday, April 1, 2006.

Surviving family members include his wife, Pat, Mott; five children, Cassie and John Sparkman, Republic, MO, Douglas and Denys Schwartz, Bismarck, ND, Kenneth Dean and Patti Schwartz, Hinckley, MN, David Schwartz, Flint, MI. Kristi and Bob Topp, Horace,ND. Nine grandchildren, Michael, Josie, and Shanna Sparkman, Danielle and Isaac Schwartz, Becki and Spencer Schwartz, Emily and Justin Topp. Two brothers, Bruce and Julie Schwartz, Bismarck, ND, Douglas and Carol Schwartz, Bowman, ND. Two sisters, Mary Ann and Jim Foss, Bismarck, ND, Beckie and Kim Hodell, Scranton, ND, and sister-in-law Caroline Schwartz, Watford City, ND, 17 nieces and nephews, and many great nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and a host of friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and one brother, Wayne.