James M. Dolen, 67, died of a massive heart attack on Sunday, November 1, 2015 at the RVICS Village, Smithville, TX.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, November 9, 2015 at 10:30 AM at Community Bible Church in Montevideo. Pastor Bruce Jarman will officiate and interment will be at Sunset Memorial Cemetery.
Visitation will be held on Sunday at Community Bible Church from 3-5:00 PM with a prayer service at 5:00 PM and continuing for one hour before the services on Monday.
James M. Dolen was born on September 10, 1948 to Marvin and Adelaide (DeClercq) Dolen in Milbank, SD. His father passed away in 1957 when Jim was 9 years of age. He attended elementary school in Milbank, SD until his mother remarried Walter Hansen in 1960 when Jim was 12. Jim always commented that he was so glad to have a “new” dad and Wally treated the boys like one of his own. He also gained 4 brothers. He attended school in South Shore, SD graduating in 1966. He attended Northern State University in Aberdeen, SD graduating in 1970 with a BS in Industrial Arts and 1974 with a teaching degree in Industrial Arts.
He married Rebecca Ringgenberg on November 29, 1969 in Aberdeen, SD. They had one daughter, Nicole. Jim accepted the Lord as his savior in 1972 and was a member of Community Bible Church in Montevideo. Jim enjoyed any and all events that the grandsons participated in, fishing in Canada, hunting pheasants in South Dakota, and attending Nebraska Cornhusker Football games.
Jim held various jobs during his working career. He worked as a Draftsman in Omaha, NE, an Industrial Arts Teacher in Ortonville, MN. He moved to Montevideo, MN in 1974, where he was the Assistant Manager of the Gambles Store, he worked for the Montevideo Housing Authority, had his own business of Dolen Drywall & Painting, Safety Inspector for Jennie-O Foods, inspections and consultations for MN OSHA and recently worked as a Regional Safety Coordinator for MMUA serving cities in Southwestern Minnesota. Jim retired in September of 2013. Jim was thankful for all of the people that he had the opportunity to work with and know during his careers. In retirement he and Becky joined the Roving Volunteers in Christ Service (RVICS) and traveled to many parts of the United States and Canada volunteering their time. Jim loved helping people and meeting them at each of the projects. He always felt blessed to be a part of them.
Jim is survived by his wife, Becky; daughter, Nicole (Scott) Thissen of Montevideo, MN; grandsons: Cameron and Parker Thissen; brothers: Duane (Donna) Dolen of South Shore, SD, Keith (Susan) Dolen of Watertown, SD, Steve (Barbara) Hansen of El Cajon, CA, Stanley (Patricia) Hansen of Rapid City, SD, Darwin (Janis) Hansen of Rathdrum, ID and Keven (Isaura) Hansen of Colorado Springs, CO; his father and mother-in-law, Keith and Vera Ringgenberg of Aberdeen, SD; a brother and sister-in-law, Robert (Karen) Ringgenberg, Nixa, MO; 20 nieces and nephews; many cousins and friends. His family was very important and each of them were special to Jim. Jim always considered it a blessing when all of the brothers were able to get together for their reunions or was able to see them when traveling.
He was preceded in death by his father, Marvin in 1957; his step-father, Walter Hansen in 1998 and his mother, Adelaide in 2007.