James “Jim” Hazelton, 76, passed away on Sunday, October 4, 2020 at Essentia Health in Fargo, ND.

James Gordon Hazelton was born on February 14, 1944 to Boyd and Ella (Olson) Hazelton in Detroit Lakes, MN. After his schooling, he went to work on the neighbor’s dairy farm which is where he met the love of his life Irene Greminger. Jim and Irene were united in marriage at Holy Rosary Catholic Church on June 26, 1965. To this union four children were born LeAnn, Bryan, Nancy, and Brent.

Jim joined the National Guard in 1964 and was enlisted for 20 years in total. After their marriage Jim and Irene moved to Washington where Jim worked for Boeing, and he worked for the company for three years.

When they moved back to Minnesota in 1970, he took over the family farm where he worked most of his life. He also worked at the casino in Mahnomen for 25 years before his retirement in January 2020.

Jim enjoyed many things in life like hunting, old classic cars, driving tractor, fixing things, watching Gunsmoke, and going to NASCAR, Monster Jam and Daytona. He loved spending time with his family and playing with his grandkids. He planted trees all over the farm and would take little saplings from the side of the road to plant. He was an avid chocolate chip stealer, no matter where Irene hid them Jim would always find them. 

Deeply loved, Jim’s passing will be mourned by his wife of 55 years Irene, his children; LeAnn Hazelton, Brian Hazelton, Nancy (Dan Reger) Hazelton, and Brent (Stella) Hazelton, his grandchildren; Bryant, Reese, Octavia, Mikayla, and Ensely, and his siblings; Ronnie Hazelton and Berdella (Oskar) Schock.

Jim is met in Heaven by his parents Boyd and Ella, his brother Paul Hazelton, his sister Betty Anderson, and his infant brother Dwayne.

Visitation will be at David-Donehower Funeral Home on October 12, 2020 from 4:30 to 7:30 pm.

The family is requesting no more than 75 people in the funeral home at a time. Please be patient to enter into the funeral home, the staff will direct you when you arrive. Enter in through the front door (facing Hwy 10) and then please exit through the rear door. There will not be a prayer service at 7:30 p.m.