James Gjermund Vistad

James G. Vistad, age 68 of Grafton, ND passed away on Sunday, July 3, 2016 at Sanford Hospital in Fargo, ND.

James Gjermund Vistad was born March 8, 1948 in Grand Forks, ND the son of the late Robert G. and Ruby (Krak) Vistad. He attended Nevin School Dist. #92 near Hamilton, ND and graduated from Cavalier High School in 1966. He attended Mayville State College and graduated from the North Dakota State School of Science. In 1969 Jim started working for Northland Chemical Company in East Grand Forks, MN. He was united in marriage to Cheryl Jaeger on June 26, 1970 in Grafton. The couple made their home in Grafton and Jim traveled to East Grand Forks for a time. After Northland was acquired by Simplot they moved to Hoople and he worked for Simplot from 1979-1983. In 1983 they moved to Grafton and he worked for Simplot until 2005 when he started J&R Ag. He was currently working for Wilbur-Ellis as their sales manager. Jim served in the North Dakota National Guard from 1970-1978. Jim sold fertilizer and chemical to farmers for 47 years and enjoyed every minute of it.

He was a member of the Grafton Lutheran Church. He served on various committees involved in the agricultural business including the Red River Valley Potato Growers Association. He was also a certified crop advisor.

Jim is survived by his wife, Cheryl, Grafton, ND; daughters: Kelly (Derek) Pfingsten, Grafton, ND; Katie (David) Suda, Fargo, ND; three grandchildren: Gabrielle, Benjamin and Zachary, his siblings: David (Judy) Vistad, Grand Forks, ND; Michael Vistad, Cavalier, ND; Stanley (Marsha) Vistad, Grand Forks, ND; Deborah (Mark) Morrison, Cavalier, ND; Vanessa (Kurt) Gunning, West Fargo, ND. Several nieces and nephews also survive. He was preceded in death by his parents, son, Adam James and sister-in-law, Diane Vistad.

Funeral services will be Friday, July 8, 2016 at 10:30 A.M. at the Grafton Lutheran Church, Grafton, ND. Visitation will be Thursday from 5-7 P.M. at Grafton Lutheran Church, with a prayer service at 7:00 PM at the church. Friends may also call at the church on Friday for one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at Grafton Lutheran Cemetery. Military rites will be provided by the Grafton American Legion Post and the North Dakota National Guard Honor Guard.