James J. Thiery

James J. Thiery, 50, Grand Forks, North Dakota died as the result of a motor vehicle accident near Devils Lake, North Dakota. 

James Jay Thiery, the son of Clarence and Judy (Reich) Thiery, was born on February 21, 1968 at Aberdeen, South Dakota.  James was raised and educated in Kulm, North Dakota and graduated from Kulm High School in 1986.  He attended Valley City State University where he earned an Associate’s degree in Business.  He married Leslye Speidel on February 24, 1990 in Ashley, North Dakota.  James and Leslye made their home in Valley City and Ashley, North Dakota before moving to Grand Forks in 1998. 

James owned and operated Thiery Construction before being deployed to Iraq in 2003. Upon his return, he continued to serve in the US Army National Guard as an engineer instructor at Camp Grafton until the time of his death. He enjoyed construction projects and took great pride in remodeling the family home. Jim enjoyed playing games and watching his favorite football team, the Vikings. Above all, Jim was patient and wise, passionate about his family, tender with his grandchildren, and loved beyond measure. 

James is survived by his parents, Clarence and Judy Thiery, Ashley, North Dakota;  his wife, Leslye, Grand Forks;  children, Jordan (Mariah) Thiery, Grand Forks, Alexis (Zachary) Tokar, Oslo, MN, Mckenzie (Brandon) Burkes, Grand Forks, and Madison Thiery (Jorden Bartlett), Grand Forks;  6 grandchildren, Jocelyn, Toby, Jaren, Janessa, Anastasia, and Quinn;  siblings, Dean (Olivia Kastengren) Thiery, Bismarck, ND, Lynnette Hakanson, Bismarck, ND, and Kyle (Teresa) Thiery, Ashley, ND;  many nieces and nephews;  his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Bruce and Wanda Speidel, Ashley, ND;  brother-in-law, Chad (Tracy) Speidel, Aberdeen, SD;  sister-in-law, Gwendy (Shawn) Just, Sioux Falls, SD.  He was preceded in death by all of his grandparents. 

Funeral Services will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, September 22, 2018 in Sharon Lutheran Church, 1720 S. 20th St., Grand Forks with visitation one hour prior to the service in the church.  Interment with military honors will be in Memorial Park North Cemetery, Grand Forks.