James Lyng

James (Jim) Roydean Lyng, 78, was born Jan. 25, 1943 in Mayville, N.D., the fourth son of Oscar and Alice Lyng. He died March 1, 2021 in the Sanford Medical Center in Mayville after being hospitalized with pneumonia.

Jim attended elementary school at Blanchard #4. He graduated from Mayville High School in 1961 and from the North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton in 1965. He married Ida Mae Pederson and they later adopted Michael and Michelle.

Jim worked as an auto mechanic in Mayville, Miles City, Mont. and Bemidji, Minn. In 1972 he and Ida Mae went their separate ways and in 1974 he married Linda Stebe of Bemidji. They had a daughter, Kimberly.

In 1975 Jim became a custodian in the Lewy Lee Fieldhouse at Mayville State University. He was in charge of site preparation for campus athletic events as well as repairing or adjusting athletic equipment and/or facilities. Jim guessed that over his 32 years at the college he supervised approximately 2,000 student workers. He retired in 2007 after both Linda and Kim passed away from cancer.

Perhaps one of Mayville State’s most familiar employees, in 2019 Jim was awarded the Mayville State University Distinguished Service Award for his dedicated and exemplary service.

After retiring, Jim returned to MSU in the summers to mow grass. He enjoyed fishing at Swan Lake near Fergus Falls, Minn., hunting, building eagles, woodcarving, gardening, and mowing grass. He was a life member of the North American Hunting Club.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Linda; daughter, Kimberly; brothers and sisters-in-law Orlin and Margaret and Duane and Eileen Lyng; brothers-in-law Gary Stebe and Tim Abbott; sister-in-law Jinann (Allen) Stebe; and father-in-law and mother-in-law Don and Betty Stebe. He is survived by his brother, Merwin (Myrna) of Mayville; brother-in-law Allen Stebe; sisters-in-law Georgia Christianson, LuAnn Stebe, Phyllis (Tim) Saga, Sharon Stebe, Mary Pederson, Connie Abbott, Shelly Fear, and Dawn Stebe; many nieces and nephews; many dear and cherished friends; and “best buddy,” Steve Christianson.

Jim deeded his remains to the UND School of Medicine and Health Sciences with the hope that doctors can find cures for diseases that take so many lives.

A memorial service will be held at Mayville Lutheran Church, 24 Third Ave. S. E., Saturday, June 26, 2021 at 11:30 a.m.

Condolences and memories can be shared at www.bakerfuneral.com

(Baker Funeral Home, Mayville, ND)