James Jarding

James Joseph Jarding died surrounded by family on January 16, 2022.  Memorial mass will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, January 22, 2022, at Saint Ann Catholic Church in Humboldt.  Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, January 21 with a 7 p.m. prayer service and rosary at the church.

Jim was born on June 19, 1931, in Emery, South Dakota, to Carl and Anna Jarding. He graduated from Humboldt High School in 1949. After graduation, he enlisted in the United States Army. Jim served in the military for more than a year.

He was united in marriage on September 22, 1953, to Edith Lor-Rae Beck at Saint Joseph Wellington Church. After serving in the military, Jim farmed south of Humboldt until 1963. In 1963, he sold his farming operation and moved to Humboldt where he started at the United States Postal Service as a Rural Mail Carrier. He worked for the United States Postal Service until his retirement in 1996.

Jim also worked for the local John Deere dealership, Mortensen and Puthoff-Shumaker, setting up and delivering farm equipment. In 1976, he worked with his sons to establish Jarding Construction where they built and remodeled homes. He enjoyed spending his afternoons delivering materials and working in the company shop building cabinets and furniture for his family and friends.

Jim was actively involved in the Humboldt community. He served on the West Central School Board, Humboldt Development Foundation, and the Minnehaha County Economic Development Association. He especially enjoyed serving on the Humboldt Volunteer Fire Department. Jim played an integral role in establishing the Humboldt Ambulance Service. He served as Humboldt’s fire chief from 1977 until 1991. Jim was also a charter member of the Minnehaha County Fire Chiefs Association.

He is survived by his wife Edith and children Charles (Paula) Jarding of Humboldt, Cynthia (Wayne) Mergen of Dell Rapids, John (Jackie) Jarding of Humboldt, Donna (Jim) Schenkel of Brandon, Bob (Brenda) Jarding of Sioux Falls, daughter-in-law Margaret Jarding of Sioux Falls, 23 grandchildren, and 49 great grandchildren.

Family members who have proceeded him in death include his children, James, Constance, and infant son Gerald; his parents, Carl and Anna; his brothers, Joseph, Anthony, Louis, George; and his sisters, Mary Elizabeth Mallinger, Cynthia Stoltz, Helen Marie Sieverding, Lillian Hentges, Eleanor Kueter, and Janet Bowden.

Memorials can be directed to Saint Ann Catholic Church or the Humboldt Fire and Ambulance Service.