James R. Dressen, 91, of Devils Lake, formerly of Churchs Ferry, ND,  died Saturday, August 6, 2011 at Mercy Hospital in Devils Lake under the care of Mercy Hospice.  Funeral services will be Wednesday, August 10th, 2011,  at 11:00 AM at Peace Lutheran Church in Devils Lake with Pastor Reuben Schnaidt officiating.  Burial will be in the Churchs Ferry Cemetery.  Military Rites will be accorded by the Neathery-Simensen VFW Post #756 of Devils Lake, the North Dakota Military Funeral Honors Team.  Visitation will be at the church on Tuesday, August 9 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM.  Casket bearers will be:  Arden Helgeseth,  Darryl Biby,  Ronald Hausmann,  Loyd Pederson,  Don Albertson, Paul Christenson and Gary Rolle.  Music will be by Darlene Albertson, soloist and Doris Michaels, pianist.

James Robert Dressen was born January 5, 1920 at Rugby, ND, the son of Herman and Mathilda (Thue) Dressen.  He was baptized in Rugby and confirmed at the Bethel Lutheran Church near Tunbridge, ND.  Jim attended rural school and at Rugby.  He graduated from Dunwoody College of Technology in Minneapolis in 1937.  In the fall of 1940, Jim purchased the blacksmith and welding shop in Churchs Ferry.   He married Audrey Knutson on June 1, 1942 in Churchs Ferry.  Jim sold the blacksmith shop in 1944 and entered the Army on July 19, 1944.  He trained at Camp Hood in Texas and went overseas in January of 1945.  Jim served with the First Cavalry Division in the South Pacific and Japan during World War II.  On February 17, 1946, he was honorably discharged and returned to Churchs Ferry  where he repurchased  the blacksmith shop.  Jim worked at Camp Grafton during the winter months welding, doing machine work and testing equipment in cold weather for the Aberdeen Proving Ground.   In 1957, he attended Moler Barber College in Fargo.  Jim purchased a barber shop at Leeds in 1961, operating it for 27 years and retiring in 1988.  While at Leeds, he began working part-time for the Nelson Funeral Home in 1983 as a non-licensed assistant, a position he held until just recently.   The couple moved to Devils Lake in 2000.

Jim was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #756 of Devils Lake and the Welcome Lodge #54 A.F & A.M. in Churchs Ferry.  He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Churchs Ferry and upon its closure became a member of Peace Lutheran Church in Devils Lake.  Jim was a past member of the Churchs Ferry Men's Club, the Devils Lake Elks and Eagles.

"A man of many talents in woodworking, metal, designing and building furniture and doing whatever needed to be done."

Surviving are his wife of 69 years:  Audrey;  a daughter:  Judith Ann (Ralph) Willenbring of Coon Rapids, MN;  a son:  Robert Dressen of Washington, DC;  grandchildren:  Laura Landes,  William (Teresa) Willenbring,  Steven Willenbring and Ann (Troy) Cahoon;  great-grandchildren:  Alicia Landes,  Wyatt Willenbring,  Eva Willenbring,  Sophia Cahoon,  Troy Cahoon, Jr. and Harris Cahoon;  a sister:  Helen Benson of Cando and a brother:  Howard Dressen of Leeds; a brother-in-law and sister-in-law:  Donald (Adelle) Knutson of Jamestown, ND;  and a number of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and his sisters:  Margaret Christenson,  Evangeline Fredrickson,  Dora Halling and Betty Peterson.



Condolences:

We are so sorry to hear of the death of your husband, father, and grandfather.  Our thoughts and prayers are with your entire family.  Rob, we'd love to catch up if you have time to send an e-mail.  Our best to you all.    John & Sandy Erickstad



A true gentleman and friend.     Kraig & Jackee Lerol