James Joseph Sitter

James Joseph Sitter, 87, of Aberdeen, passed away Saturday, February 13, 2021, at his home.

Mass of Christian burial will be 2:00 p.m., February 23, 2021, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 409 3rd Avenue SE, Aberdeen, with Father Andrew Dickinson, Celebrant.

Burial, with military rites, will take place at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Aberdeen.

Schriver’s Memorial Mortuary and Crematory, 414 5th Avenue NW, Aberdeen, is in charge of arrangements.

Visitation will be 6:00-7:00 p.m., February 22, 2021, at the mortuary, with a liturgical wake and rosary following at 7:00 p.m.  Visitation continues one hour before Mass at the church.

Family and friends may sign James’ online guestbook and also view his service at www.schriversmemorial.com.

James Joseph Sitter was born June 27, 1933 in Buxton, ND as the first of six children of John and Mary (Schoeland) Sitter.  A few years later, his family moved to a farm near Ipswich, SD where he was raised and graduated from Ipswich High School in 1951.  

Soon after, he entered the Service for two years, which took him to Germany and through Europe. After returning home, he met his sweetheart, Diane Swanson of Leola, SD.  The two married on June 30, 1960 and have three children: Andrew, Angela and Daniel.  James’ career as a Master Electrician includes 27 years with Mathes Electric and more than 20 years with NSU.  His electrical skills are still admired today at the Aberdeen airport and throughout the college campus. He retired in 2008 at age 75, but that didn’t stop him from working!  Between caring for his yard and squirrels, he also loved restoring vehicles, woodworking, and building treasures for his grandkids. His creativity flourished while he created gifts for family and friends.  The refurbished dressers and furniture, frames, toy boxes, and dollhouses are admired and treasured by his family.  More than anything, he had a passion for sharing his love of working with others. You didn’t have to ask twice to have him teach and help with any project – he was always up for the adventure of finding solutions. In recent years, James enjoyed his annual commitment to the Great Plains Outdoorsmen, connecting with his friends and selling raffle tickets. 

James was a Godly man, a loving husband to Diane, a strong dad for all his kids, and a proud grandpa of all his grandkids.  He was a caring brother and family historian. His caring attitude developed so many friendships across the state. 

Missing him are his wife, Diane (Swanson) Sitter; three children:  Andrew (Ramona) Sitter, Angela Heintzman (Ralph Pietz) and Daniel Sitter; five grandchildren:  Austin (Charlotte) Sitter, Lucas Heintzman, Jeremy (Ashley) Sitter, Jessie (Jessica) Sitter and Rachel (Nathan) Dix; eight great-grandchildren; and all his siblings and their families.  

James is reunited in eternity with his parents and two great-grandchildren. 

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