Rev. James Marvin Schatz

CLERGY
Rev. Greg Way
Rev. Ted Bader
Rev. Fred Sprenger
MUSIC
Organist ~ Shelly Finck
Congregational Hymns
Processional ~“What a Friend We Have in Jesus”
Recessional ~ “God Be With You ‘Til We Meet Again”
Frieden’s Men’s Choir
“God of Grace, God of Glory”
“How Great Thou Art”
HONORARY CASKETBEARERS
Emilia Barton
Sam Mueller
Gracey Schatz
Kennedy Schatz
CASKETBEARERS
John Ames
Rick Ames
Leland Barton
Trevor Barton
Bruce Schatz
Jason Schatz
The Rev. James "Jim" Marvin Schatz was born Wednesday, June 5, 1935 at Elgin, North Dakota to Henry and Emilia (Karch) Schatz. He died at the age of 77 on December 31, 2012 at Avera St. Benedict Hospital in Parkston following a slow decline of health.
Jim grew up on a hard working farm, 15 miles North of Elgin, North Dakota with five brothers and one sister. The family attended St. John's Congregational Church in New Leipzig, North Dakota where Jim was baptized, confirmed and received his 'call to the ministry of Jesus Christ' in June 1954 shortly after his graduation from Elgin High School. He enrolled in Yankton College School of Theology graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree, June 1958 and a Bachelor of Theology in 1959. While a young pastor and father, Jim completed his formal education at the United Theological Seminary in New Brighton, Minnesota with a Bachelor of Divinity in 1966.
Jim married Sarah (Sally) Ann Ames on September 1, 1957. They moved to Alpena, South Dakota where he served at Bethlehem Congregational Church and was ordained March 23rd, 1960 by the German Congregational Association of South Dakota. He ministered and taught God's love through the United Church of Christ for the rest of his career at churches in McLaughlin, South Dakota; Maple Lake, Minnesota; Welcome, Minnesota; Fort Collins, Colorado; Wiggins, Colorado; Belle Fourche, South Dakota; Tripp, South Dakota; Schleswig, Iowa and finally Wessington Springs, South Dakota. While retired, he was an interim pastor at three South Dakota churches in Huron, Mitchell, and Fort Pierre. He was active in the local ministerial associations and served in all the major offices within the association and state conference. Jim had a special love for youth ministries being active in Boy Scouts, Junior and Senior High Youth Groups and camp programs at Placerville, South Dakota and Camp LaForet, Colorado.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Clifford, Emil, Ervin and Kenneth. Of the seven children, his brother Henry (Beverly) Schatz of Bismarck, North Dakota and sister Eunice Schulz of New Leipzig, North Dakota are still living. Jim will be remembered always by his beloved wife, Sally and four children: Steve of Fort Wayne, Indiana; Kathy Barton of Houston, Texas; Susan (husband Dave Mueller) of Boise, Idaho; and Tom (wife Amey) of Tripp. Jim enjoyed his grandchildren: Emilia, Leland James, Trevor Jay, Kennedy, Sam and Gracey. He retired to Miller, South Dakota. Later they returned to Tripp, South Dakota to be near their son Tom and his family. He always looked forward to summer vacations where he and his family traveled and camped. His hobbies included photography, his motorcycle, hunting and fishing. Jim and Sally celebrated 55 years of devoted marriage this past September.
His family expresses appreciation to the Good Samaritan Society of Tripp for their compassionate care these last three years. Thanks also to family, friends and the Tripp community for their support during this time of grieving our loss and celebrating Jim's life.