James Stock Obituary

James (Jim) Stock, a long-time resident of Mahnomen, MN, passed away at Bethany Homes in Fargo, ND on Friday, June 13th, 2025, at the age of 93. Jim touched the lives of many people as a family man, dedicated farmer, community member, and as an active parishioner at St. Michael's Catholic Church, Mahnomen, MN.
Jim, born in Minneapolis, MN, was the third son born to Ernest and Mary (Standing) Stock. He attended St. Stephen's Elementary School and then High School in North Branch, MN until his family moved to Fergus Falls, MN during his senior year of high school. During his high school years Jim excelled in sports and track but declined a college scholarship to become a farmer with his family. Jim was drafted into the Army and stationed at Fort Belvoir, VA.
On December 15th,1956 Jim married Joyce Reierson at Assumption Catholic Church in Callaway, MN. They were married for 68 years. In their early years of marriage, after the Ernest Stock Family purchased and moved to what was known as the Brown Farm in Mahnomen, MN, Jim and Joyce continued farming and living near Fergus Falls, MN and Joyce taught high school English in Ashby, MN.
In the early 60's Jim and Joyce and their growing family moved briefly to a farm near Waubun, MN until they moved to their permanent home and farm in Mahnomen, MN where they continued to live for 61 years. Jim farmed this entire time and retired from active farming in 2000. Jim and Joyce moved to their current home in Moorhead, MN in 2023.
In addition to his farming profession, Jim was very active in the community. Dedicated to St. Michael's Church in Mahnomen, he served as one of the initial Communion lay distributors, as a 4th Degree Knight and as Grand Knight for the local Knights of Columbus Council. He served many dedicated years as County DFL Chairman and as Regional Director of Farm Credit Services for which he received many awards of honor.
Jim was not only active in his community but also enjoyed spending time with friends golfing and playing cards. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and outdoors with family and friends alike, spending many enjoyable times at hunting camp in Grygla, MN and at the family lake trailer he and Joyce owned at North Twin Lake. Jim was devoted to his family, attending school activities and later NDSU Football games, traveling throughout the country for both. He was a proud life-long fan of the Minnesota Vikings.
During winter school vacations Jim and Joyce enjoyed visiting Jim's family who wintered in Arizona. He and Joyce eventually bought a Condo in Apache Junction, AZ and enjoyed many winters near the beautiful Superstition Mountains.
As world travelers, Jim and Joyce visited all but 4 of the United States and innumerable foreign countries. Travel adventures and highlights include a trip to China and a walk on the Great Wall, a camel ride near Ayers Rock and glass-bottom boat over the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, an emotional visit to the Beaches of Normandy and multiple visits to most of the European and Scandinavian Countries. They enjoyed cruises to Quebec, Alaska and the entire Western Coast of South America. Jim's favorite international travel destination was Paris, having visited the beautiful city with Joyce many times.
Above everything, Jim's family was his pride, his joy and his number one priority. Jim and Joyce were proud parents of nine children: Paul (Ronda), Gregory, Catherine, Susan (Jeff), Thomas (Connie), Jerome, Andrew (Bobbi), Charles and Jon (Angie). Jim and Joyce were blessed with many beautiful grandchildren and great grandchildren, each dearly loved and treasured. Jim was preceded in death by his parents Ernest and Mary, his brothers Robert (Bob) and John (Jack) and his sons Paul, Thomas and Jerome. He is survived by his sister Janet Dewey.
Jim lived life to the fullest, always finding time to contribute to the well-being of others. Amongst numerous admirable qualities, Jim was steadfast with his constant demonstration of unconditional love, kindness, loyalty and hard work. He helped make the world a better place.
A Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, June 28, 2025, at 2:00 p.m., with a visitation starting one hour prior, at St. Michael's Catholic Church, Mahnomen.
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