James Bateson

James Eugene Bateson, age 66, was born on November 10, 1947 to Alvin and Florence (Jivery) Bateson in Hibbing, MN. He was called home to the Lord on December 12, 2013 following a car accident. Jim was raised in Hibbing, the youngest of four boys. He was baptized and confirmed at Blessed Sacrament Church in Hibbing and attended Hibbing High School, graduating in 1966. He worked for a time at US Steel in Mt. Iron, MN while attending college. He was also co-owner of Pokegama Lodge Resort in Grand Rapids MN with his brother, Tom. He graduated from Bemidji State in 1974 with his degree in Business Education and Economics. Jim moved to Gary, MN in 1974 where he taught Business Education in the Gary and Twin Valley Districts until his retirement in 2007. He also was employed as an Insurance Agent by the Twin Valley Agency from 1982 until the present. Jim owned and operated JB’s trailer Sales in Twin Valley from 2007-2012 when he retired and sold the building. He was a long member of St. Josephs Catholic Church in Fertile, MN and held a position on their finance committee for many years. On October 25, 1975 Jim was married to the love of his life, Muriel Hemmingson and they made their home in Gary, where he continued to teach, farm and sell insurance. They have two children, Anthony (Rachel) Bateson of Walhalla, ND and Jennifer (Kurt) Yanish of Alvarado, MN, and they also claimed one more honorary son, James (Lisa) Mitchell of Fargo, ND. He has five grandchildren and claims two others: Andrew, Noah and Taylor Bateson, Cameron and Micaela Yanish and Brady and Samantha Mitchell. Jim was involved in several area clubs, he loved old tractors, and belonged to the Western Minnesota Steam Threshers, as well as the Lake Agassiz 2 Cylinder Club. He belonged to many professional teaching organizations and held all the jobs for the local education association at one time or another. One of his favorite pastimes was to go ATVing with his Bateson Buddies ATV group, consisting of family and friends. He also truly loved camping and spending time with his grandchildren. Jim is survived by his wife, Muriel, and children: Tony (Rachel) Jennifer (Kurt) and James (Lisa); grandchildren: Andrew, Noah, Taylor, Cameron, Micaela, Brady and Samantha; two brothers: Patrick (Patsy) Bateson of Hayward, WI and George (Ann) Bateson of Fridley, MN; mother-in-law, Margie (Ordale) Thronson; three brothers-in-law: Bruce (Elva) Hemmingson of Coon Rapids, MN, Wayne Hemmingson of Gary, and Stuart (Kathy) Hemmingson of Eagan, MN; and numerous nieces and nephews. He will be missed by all. He was preceded in death by his parents; stepmother, Nellie; one brother, Thomas Bateson; an infant twin sister, Irene; and two fathers-in-law, Oscar Hemmingson and Arnold Bengtson. Funeral Services were held Wednesday, December 18, 2013, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Williams Catholic Church in Twin Valley, MN. Fr. Joe Richards officiated. Serving as pallbearers were Gene Werpy, Aaron Werpy, Nathan Hemmingson, Steve Bateson, Butch Bateson, and Duane Carlsrud, with all of his family and friends as honorary bearers. Visitation was held on Tuesday, December 17, 2013, from 5:00 -7:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. at the church. Burial was in the St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery in Fertile, MN.

James Bateson

November 10, 1947 - December 12, 2013