James E. Reppen, age 72 of Beulah, ND died Friday, February 6, 2009 at St. Alexius Medical Center in Bismarck following a battle with cancer.

Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held 10:30 AM Thursday, Feb. 12 at the Goetz Funeral Home Chapel in Turtle Lake, ND with Rev. Betty J. Stedman, officiating.

James "Jim" Elroy Reppen was born November 25, 1936 in Fargo, ND to William "Bill" and Gertrude "Helen" (Alsdurf) Reppen. He grew up in Perley, MN and attended Riverside Elementary School. In 1955, he graduated from Borup High School in Borup, MN. Jim was drafted into the U.S. Army on Dec. 1, 1959 and trained at Fort Sill, OK, Fort Riley, KS, and Fort Hood, TX before being stationed in Korea for 16 months. He was honorably discharged on January 29, 1962. Jim farmed for ten years in the Perley-Borup, MN area before working for the American Crystal Sugar Co. in Moorhead. He was also employed with S&S Construction of Dilworth, and FM Asphalt of Moorhead. Jim moved to Beulah, ND and worked for Central Tire of Hazen, Brad Regan Tire(Beulah), and retired from Lignite Tire(Beulah) in 1998. Jim continued to work on a ranch for Warren Bergquist near Turtle Lake. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and playing cribbage. Jim especially enjoyed working with cattle and farm work.

Jim married Barbara Eide on November 3, 1962 in Moorhead, MN. The surviving children and grandchildren from this union include: Bradley Reppen of Dallas, TX; Stefanie (Gene) Anderson of Fargo, ND and children Zachary, Katelyn, & Courtney; Julie (Mike) Smith of Fargo, ND and children Ryan & Morgan; Steven Reppen of Moorhead, MN; and Doug (Heidi) Reppen of Midland, TX.

Jim married Cynthia Nelson on June 30, 1978 in Fargo, ND. The children and grandchildren from this union include: Jennifer (Jason) Renfrow of Moorhead, MN and children Aubri, Jacob, & Tatum; Jessica (Leigh) Weiss of Wolverton, MN and children Ciera, Devin, & Danica.

Jim married Judy (Blotter) Parks on June 12, 1986. He leaves his wife, Judy Reppen of Beulah, ND; 3 step-children & step-grandchildren, Jeremy Westrum of Myrtle Point, OR and children Lindsey and twin boys Alex & Jamie; Melissa LaDouceur of Bismarck and son Coleman; Justin (Andrea) Parks of Bismarck and daughter Ava.

He is also survived by one sister, Kay Svedjan of Perley, MN; one sister-in-law, Georgia Reppen of Sun Valley, CA; and several nieces & nephews.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, twin daughters (Roberta & Rebecca Reppen), & two brothers (Donald Reppen and infant Eugene).