James D. "Jim" Hanley

James (Jim) Dennis Hanley, passed away peacefully at home from congestive heart failure, surrounded by loved ones on Friday, July 13, 2018, at the age of 78.

Jim was born on October 7, 1939 in Fargo, ND, to Helen (Delaney) and John (Donnell) Hanley.  He spent most of his school years in Park River, ND and graduated from Walsh County Agricultural High School in 1957.  He attended the University of North Dakota and graduated with his Bachelor of Education in 1961.  He earned a Master’s in Geography from the University of North Dakota in 1969.  He served in the National Guard and the Army Reserve from 1962 to 1968.  On June 22, 1968, Jim married Yvonne Spies, whom he met while she was student teaching at South Junior High School.  He was a loving father to their three girls, Pam, Nancy, and Susan. 

Jim taught Social Studies for the Grand Forks Public School District for 38 years, spending 34 years at South Junior High School and his last 4 years at Red River High School.  He retired from teaching in 1999.  He continued his work in education by supervising student teachers for the University of North Dakota.   As a driver’s education instructor, he helped many students learn to drive.  Teaching and learning was a passion for him. He enjoyed inspiring students in their learning and we often hear “he was my favorite teacher”. 

Another passion for Jim was sports.  He was the Grand Forks softball commissioner for 25 years and the North Dakota State softball commissioner for 18 years.  He was inducted into the North Dakota Softball Hall of Fame in 1996.  He loved working and spending time at the softball fields.  He was a high school football referee and he ran the clock for basketball at Red River High School.  He was also the announcer at UND hockey games and the North Dakota High School State Hockey Tournaments for decades.  He will always be remembered as the voice of hockey. One of his greatest joys was to watch his grandkids grow up and play sports throughout the years.  He also enjoyed spending time in Arizona with his daughters and grandkids.

Jim enjoyed traveling and spent time in Japan, Poland, Russia, and Ireland.  He and Yvonne traveled many times with dear friends, throughout the United States and on cruises. 

Jim was a man of faith and was very active in his church. He was an avid supporter of many charities.

He had a passion and love for trains, having grown up with a father who worked for Great Northern Railroad. 

In later years, Jim enjoyed working in his yard with his wife.

Jim was an amazing husband, dad, and grandpa.  He was so proud of his kids and his grandchildren and had so much joy for them.  His most recent joy was his great-grandson, Grahm, who was born in January.  Even in his last days, seeing Grahm brought a smile to his face.

Jim loved life!

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Yvonne of Grand Forks, ND; daughters, Nancy Hanley-Wroble of Tempe, AZ and Susan (Chad) Holweger of Chandler, AZ; grandchildren, Shalene (Matt) Troyer, Alex Solseng, Zac and Jacob Wroble, Lucy and Lucas Holweger; and great-grandson, Grahm Troyer.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Donn and Helen Hanley, his beautiful daughter, Pamela (Brent) Solseng, and his surrogate Irish daughter, Lisa Irvine. 

For those of us who are still here, his time on Earth was not enough, but we take comfort in knowing that he and Pam have been reunited.  We love and miss him dearly, but know that he has found peace and comfort, and he will be watching over us everyday.

Funeral is on Thursday, July 19 at 1 p.m. with visitation one hour prior at Holy Family Catholic Church, Grand Forks.

Prayer Service is on Wednesday, July 18 at 7 p.m. with visitation from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church, Grand Forks.

In Lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorials be made to the DMF-Pam Solseng Ovarian Cancer Endowment Fund at impactgiveback.org or to Holy Family in Grand Forks.