Jim grew up on his family’s farm near Hensel, located in northeastern North Dakota in Pembina County. Like many North Dakotans of Jim’s era, his schooling started in a country school, Hartje #53. He had one first-grade classmate.  He is proud of his rural upbringing, North Dakota heritage, and service in the U.S. Armed Forces (1967-1969) and to fellow veterans during his 34-year career at the Veterans Administration. In the VA’s Adjudication Division, Jim found a passion for working with former American prisoners of war and their families.

In 1972, Jim married Sharon Pollock, who grew up on a farm in Emmons County. The couple has three children and four grandchildren, and lives in Fargo. With love and support from Sharon and his family, it has taken Jim more than 15 years to bring Dakota Attitude to print.