James (Jim) N. Wetzel, 68, of Hazen, went to be with the Lord on December 4, 2016 with his family surrounding him.  Services will be held at 10:00 AM CST, Friday, December 9, 2016, at St. Martin’s Catholic Church, Hazen with Fr. Kenneth Phillips officiating.  Burial will follow in the church cemetery.  Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 PM, Thursday, at Barbot Funeral Home, Hazen.

James was born on December 25, 1947 to Henry and Eleanor (Schlatter) Wetzel, in Mount Angel, Oregon.  He was united in marriage to Susan M. Winnegge on November 20, 1965 in Lakota, ND.  They lived in various places with the majority of their lives in Hazen, ND.  James was a heavy equipment operator and worked various jobs, including: Strukness Construction, Minot, ND, Glenharold Mine, Stanton, ND, Westmoreland Mine, Beulah, ND and Coteau Properties until his retirement in 2012.

He enjoyed fishing, camping and collecting scraper and dozer die cast models.  He especially enjoyed spending time with his family.  He touched the hearts of many and always had a joke or story to tell.

James is survived by  his wife Susan M. Wetzel of Hazen, ND, one son, James (Ericka) Wetzel Jr. of Wahpeton, ND, two daughters, Kim (Joe) Oxner of Billings, MT,  Brenda (Brian) Baer of Glendive, MT; 10 grandchildren, Joey Ehlers, of Lidgerwood, ND, Kyle Wetzel of Wahpeton, ND, Devon Wolf of Billings, MT, Christina Culver of Dickinson, ND, DeAnna Helgeson of Dwight, ND, Shanda Wolf of Billings, MT, Bryce Wetzel of Grand Forks, ND, Brandon Wetzel of Wahpeton, ND, Mallory Goins of Fargo, ND, Hunter Oxner of Billings, MT, Maddi Maddock of Wahpeton, ND, Kiera  Hanson of Wahpeton, ND, Brooklyn Wolf of Billings, MT, and 11 1/2 great-grandchildren; one brother, Joel Wetzel of Bismarck, ND and one sister, Jenny (Ron) Zeller of Dickinson, ND.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Eleanor Wetzel and one brother, Jerome Wetzel.

Arrangements conducted by Barbot Funeral Home, Hazen and Beulah.

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