Grand Forks, ND – James “Jim” Vigness, 59, of Grand Forks, ND, passed away Tuesday, April 19, 2022 at his home in Grand Forks.
James Lyle Vigness was born on September 14, 1962 in Thief River Falls, the son of Lester and Lois (Bendickson) Vigness. He grew up in Thief River Falls and attended Washington Elementary School, Franklin Middle School and graduated from Lincoln High School in 1981. James went on to graduate from Northland Technical College with an Associate of Arts degree in 1984. He then attended Hibbing Skills Course for police training and graduated in November 1984. Jim married Jody Dallmann on April 1, 1989 at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls.
Jim held a variety of jobs before starting his career in law enforcement. He was employed with McDonald’s, where he made the first quarter pounder in Thief River Falls. Also, he was employed as a lifeguard, at Trade Home Shoes, Thief River Falls Racquet Ball Club, Kmart and Holiday Service Station. He joined the Grand Forks Police Department in 1986 and served as a police officer until his retirement in 2015.
Jim was known for his sense of humor, telling stories and pulling pranks on his co-workers. He was very good at performing magic tricks and liked watching old movies, especially 50s horror flicks. He travelled to many places in the United States and enjoyed his Viva Las Vegas trips. Most of all, he loved 50s music, especially Jerry Lee Lewis and Elvis. Sadly, from 2018 to the present, Jim spent many weeks in hospitals and nursing homes.
He is survived by his wife, Jody; brothers, Jon Vigness, Thief River Falls, Dan (Deb) Vigness, Viking, and Dave (Patti) Vigness, Onalaska, WI; brothers-in-law, Doug (Pam) Dallmann and Randy (Mimi) Dallmann; a sister-in-law, Robyn (Mark) Isaacson; nieces and nephews, Jamie Vigness and his children, Jordan, Ben and Kim, Bryana Vigness, Kim (Scott) Bassette, Brian (Tiff) Hoyhtya, Adam (Cindy) Dallmann and their boys, Keaton, Karter and Korbin, Allison (Jason) Kangas and their children, Cooper and Charlie, Dana (Tracy) Dallmann and their daughter, Ellie, Tracy (Jason) Dallmann and their children, Ayden and Sharanda, Abby (Aaron) Cling and their daughter, Vivian, Ian (Katie) Isaacson, Olivia (Mike) Brooks and Adam Schiller and his children, Addie, Ari and Aiden; and many cousins aunts and uncles.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Les and Lois Vigness; paternal grandparents, Oscar and Josie Vigness; maternal grandparents, Ben and Thelma Bendickson; aunt and uncle, Kip and Catherine Vigness; uncles, Wayne Bendickson and Jim Malosky; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Nancy Hoyhtya and Emil Hoyhtya; a niece, Amber Schiller; and a sister-in-law, Rhonda Vigness.
A memorial service took place on Saturday, April 23, 2022 at the Historic Norman Funeral Home Chapel.
Honor Watch: Police officers of the Grand Forks Police Department.
The online memorial registry may be signed at www.normanfuneral.com.
(The Historic Norman Funeral Home, Grand Forks, ND)
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