James Lawrence

James Lawrence

Dec. 28, 1935 - Jan. 16, 2015

James Lawrence, 79, of Bemidji, Died Friday, January 16, 2015 at the Sanford Fargo Medical Center in Fargo, ND.

Family will greet friends from 1-2 p.m., followed by the memorial service at 2 p.m., Wednesday, January 21, 2015 at the Olson-Schwartz Funeral Home in Bemidji. Pastor John Yingling will officiate. A reception at the Elks Club will follow the memorial service.

James Edward Lawrence was born on December 28, 1935 in Red Lake MN, to Joseph and Stella (Spears) Lawrence. Jim was an enrolled member of the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Tribe and he was very proud of his Native American heritage. He grew up and attended school in Bemidji, MN. After graduating from high school, Jim served three years in the US Army. Upon being honorably discharged, Jim returned to Bemidji State and completed his bachelor's degree in Education. Jim was an exceptional three sport athlete, playing football, basketball and baseball, in both high school and college. Jim had many athletic accomplishments, which led him to be inducted into both the Bemidji High School and Bemidji State University Athletic Hall of Fame. Some of Jim's greatest memories were his playing days. Jim was very humble about his athletic accomplishments. He loved telling stories "about the good old days" and the focus of his stories were always teammates or friends.

Jim married Patricia Corrigan in 1961. They had 3 children, Michelle, Kiki and Dave. In 1984 he married Alberta Havens. They resided in Arizona until Alberta's passing in 2011. Jim then returned to Bemidji, where he spent the remainder of his years.

Jim's professional career began in education, and spanned seven years, including teaching and coaching jobs at Red Lake and Deer River. He then went on to hospital administration for the Bureau of Indian Affairs . He ended his professional career in Arizona.

Jim is survived by his children, Michelle (Todd) Waletzki, Vienna, VA; Kiki (Greg) Carlson, Bemidji, MN; Dave (Shannon) Lawrence, Moorhead, MN; and Michele (Greg) Mikszta , Phoenix, AZ.; 9 grandchildren-Garrett and Nicole Waletzki, Alex and Christopher Carlson, Brett, Jade and Seth Lawrence, Jacob and Natalie Mikszta; sister Evie Barrett, and brothers Buster Smith and Robbie Smith.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Alberta, brothers, Dick and Bill Lawrence and sister Rose Peterson.