James Emmett Whalen, 78, Leeds, ND, passed away Sunday, September 7, 2014 at the Towner County Medical Center in Cando. A vigil prayer service will be held on Wednesday, September 10, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. at the Nelson Funeral Home in Leeds, ND with Fr. Joseph D'Aco, celebrant. Visitation will be at the Nelson Funeral Home in Leeds on Tuesday from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. and on Wednesday for one hour prior to the service. Casket bearers will his grandchildren: Kelland Bjerke, Jarin Bjerke, Cody Belle, Nolan Belle, Derek Belle, Cameron Leibfried, Andrew Whalen, Wyatt Silliman, Ethan Silliman and Garrett Silliman. Honorary casket bearers will be grandchildren: Jordan Bjerke, Ashli Whalen, Kendra Leibfried, Kaylee Whalen and Oliver Whalen. Music will be by Dorothy Stuberg and Nancy Silliman. Military Honors will be provided by the North Dakota Military Funeral Honors Team. Interment will be at the St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Cemetery in Leeds, ND.

James Emmett Whalen was born November 20, 1935 to Emmett J and Dollie (Britsch) Whalen on a farm near York, North Dakota. He went to grade school in York and high school in Leeds, graduating in 1953. He was raised on the farm until entering the army in 1959 at Fort Carson, Colorado, serving there and Korea until his release in 1961. He farmed for 10 years, after which he owned 2 businesses in Churchs Ferry with wife Clarine. Jim then went to work for Mollers Inc. in York, ND until his retirement in 2004.

He married Clarine (Halvorson) Bjerke in 1968. She survives along with her son Jeff, daughters Cheryl (Melvin) Belle, Carol (Albert) Leibfried, Susan (Tim) Silliman, Robert, Dennis (Jada), 15 grandchildren, 1 great grandchild, brother John and a sister Mary. James was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Herbert and Simon, sister Dorothy McGown, 2 brother-in-laws, 1 grandson and 1 great granddaughter.