James F. Kaiser

James F. Kaiser, 90, of Aberdeen, SD, passed away peacefully surrounded by family, on Wednesday, June 5, 2024, at Mother Joseph Manor.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, June 13, 2024, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Aberdeen, with Father Jeffrey Schulte officiating.

Burial will be at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery following the service with Military Honors.

A luncheon and a time of fellowship will follow the burial.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday at the mortuary, with a liturgical wake and a rosary to follow at 7 p.m.  Visitation continues one hour before Mass at the church.

Schriver’s Memorial Mortuary and Crematory, 414 5th Avenue NW, Aberdeen, is in charge of arrangements.  Family and friends may sign the online guestbook and also view the service at www.schriversmemorial.com.

James Frank Kaiser was born on March 28, 1934, in Tolstoy, South Dakota, to Frank Edward and Anna Mary (Kohner) Kaiser. He was the ninth of nine children.

Jim was raised in Gettysburg, SD, and attended school there. Following graduation in 1952, Jim joined the U.S. Navy and served from 1952 to 1956. He joined the Army Reserves and served from 1970- 1994 retiring as sergeant major E9.

James was united in marriage to Levina Schwab at St. Joseph Catholic Church on January 19, 1960.  The couple was blessed with three children: Lisa, Jim, and Jeff.

Above all, Jim loved his family. His kindness and empathy towards others were noted by everyone he touched. His grandchildren were one of his biggest joys. Rarely was there ever a missed play, concert, ballgame, Grandparent’s Day, birthday, graduation, or other special moment in their lives.

Jim was a lover of nature. He especially liked to travel and explore, hike, camp, stargaze, and capture all of his adventures on camera. He loved yardwork and taking care of his flower beds.

In retirement, woodworking was his greatest hobby. He spent hours in his “shed” making intricate pieces of art on his scroll saw to give to his family as gifts.

Jim was a lifelong avid reader! He had an extensive book collection and collected the classics. Ernest Hemingway was his absolute favorite. He also loved poetry- especially Robert Frost, Carl Sandburg, and Badger Clark. He wrote and read his own poetry publicly too.

Grateful for having shared Jim’s life is his wife Levina of 64years; his children: Lisa (Chuck) Leen, of Sauk Centre, MN; Jim (Bea) Kaiser of Bismarck, ND; Jeff (Linda) Kaiser of Minnetonka, MN; grandchildren: Nicholas (Laura) Leen, Andrew Leen, Jerzy Horst, Elizabeth Kaiser, and Allison Kaiser.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents: Frank and Anna; his brothers and sisters: Cyril, Richard, Lucille, Evelyn, Luverne (Bud), Arlone, Anna Marie, and Mary Ann.