Rev. James M. Schatz 1935-2012

Funeral services for the Rev. James M. Schatz of Tripp, S.D. were held Friday, Jan. 4, 2013 at Frieden’s Reformed Church in Tripp with Pastors Greg Way, Ted Bader and Fred Springer officiating. Interment followed in Frieden’s Reformed Cemetery, Tripp. Online condolences may be sent at www.goglinfh.com.

James “Jim” Marvin Schatz was born June 5, 1935 at Elgin, N.D. to Henry and Emilia (Karch) Schatz. He died at the age of 77 on December 31, 2012 at Avera St. Benedict Hospital in Parkston.

Jim grew up with five brothers and one sister on a farm north of Elgin, N.D. The family attended St. John’s Congregational Church in New Leipzig, N.D., where Jim was baptized, confirmed and received his “call to the ministry of Jesus Christ” in June 1954 shortly after his graduation from Elgin High School. He enrolled in Yankton College School of Theology graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree, June 1958, and a Bachelor of Theology in 1959. Jim completed his formal education at the United Theological Seminary in New Brighton, Minn. with a Bachelor of Divinity in 1966.

Jim married Sarah (Sally) Ann Ames on September 1, 1957. They moved to Alpena, S.D. where he served at Bethlehem Congregational Church and was ordained March 23, 1960 by the German Congregational Association of South Dakota. He ministered through the United Church of Christ for the rest of his career at churches in McLaughlin, S.D.; Maple Lake and Welcome, Minn.; Fort Collins and Wiggins, Colo.; Belle Fourche and Tripp, S.D.; Schleswig, Iowa and finally Wessington Springs, S.D. While retired, he was an interim pastor at Huron, Mitchell and Fort Pierre. Jim had a special love for youth ministries, being active in Boy Scouts, Junior and Senior High Youth Groups and camp programs at Placerville, S.D. and Camp LaForet, Colo.

He retired to Miller, S.D. Later they returned to Tripp to be near their son Tom and his family.

Jim and Sally celebrated 55 years of devoted marriage this past September.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Clifford, Emil, Ervin and Kenneth.

Jim will be remembered always by his beloved wife, Sally and four children: Steve of Fort Wayne, Ind.; Kathy Barton of Houston, Texas; Susan (Dave) Mueller of Boise, Idaho; and Tom (Amey) of Tripp; six grandchildren; brother Henry (Beverly) Schatz and sister Eunice Schulz.