Details

Collection Summary
Collection: FND001 - SHSND Foundation - North Dakota Heritage Family Memorial Program
Series: Tribute
Folder: DIG
Item: 272265
Title: James G. Mahutga
Date: 2/4/1933-8/25/2026
Inscription/Marks: 2/4/1933
Summary: James Mahutga, known lovingly to many as Jim, passed from this life in Carrington, ND, on August 25, 2026, after a long and courageous battle with cancer, leaving behind a legacy of love, labor, faith, and steadfast devotion. He was surrounded by family, and they held his hand in comfort as he transitioned to heaven. A Mass of Christian burial was held September 1, 2026, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Carrington. Burial was at the St. John’s Catholic Cemetery, Kensal, ND. Born on February 4, 1933, in Gaylesville, Wisconsin, Jim lived a life marked by humble beginnings and great endurance. He attended school through the ninth grade, and though his formal education was brief, the wisdom he gathered through years of honest work, faithful friendship, and devoted family life was vast indeed. He was a man shaped by duty and strengthened by perseverance, one who met the world not with complaint but with a steady heart and a willing spirit. In him, many found a soul both gentle and strong, a man whose humor could lighten the heaviest hour and whose kindness could steady the troubled mind. His working years were long and honorable, and he carried himself with dignity wherever he labored. He worked for West Foods in Santa Cruz, CA, and later drove trucks for Mid West Motor Express for 25 years, spending much of that time with his trucking partner and best friend, Charlie Jackson. He was a member of Teamsters for 26 years, standing among those who understood the worth of labor and the pride of a job well done. He also owned the Hurry Back Inn, a local bar, for five years, and later drove for Bessette Automotive in Carrington for 17 years, ending his work there in June 2026. Through all these years, Jim remained faithful to his responsibilities, and he carried his burdens with the quiet strength of a man who knew that honest work is a kind of prayer. Above all earthly things, Jim cherished his family. He is survived by his beloved wife of 72 (let's just round it up to 73) years, Lois Mahutga, whose companionship was the great blessing of his life. Together they built a home of enduring love, where laughter, loyalty, and shared memory abounded. He is also survived by his sons Roger and David, and he was preceded in death by his son Dennis. His family continued to grow across the generations, and he leaves behind 12 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren, each a living testament to the life he helped to shape. In every branch of our family tree, there is a leaf touched by his influence, a heart warmed by his example, and a memory made brighter by his presence. Jim was a man of spiritual faith, and though his path was not without sorrow, he remained devoted to the Lord. He was a devoted Catholic, and even in his darkest days he gave his heart to God. That devotion was not spoken only in words, but lived in the manner of his days, in the grace with which he endured suffering, in the patience with which he loved, and in the peace with which he faced the unknown.  He also found joy in the simple and enduring pleasures of life. He enjoyed fishing, where the quiet waters reflected the calm and contemplation of his soul. He treasured spending time with family, and those moments, though perhaps ordinary to the world, were to him rich with meaning. His laughter, his stories, and his presence made gatherings warmer and memories deeper. He was loving, funny, and wise, and these qualities were not separate from one another, but woven together like the threads of a well-made life. His humor gave comfort, his wisdom gave direction, and his love gave strength. Though he has departed this mortal stage, the measure of Jim’s life remains in the hearts of those who knew him and loved him. He was a husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and great-great-grandfather. He was a friend, a worker, a believer, and a man whose spirit shone with warmth. As the sun sets upon his earthly journey, may his soul rest in the eternal mercy of God, and may those who grieve him find comfort in the rich inheritance of love he leaves behind. His days were many, his labor faithful, his heart generous, and his faith enduring. In the great mystery of life and death, Jim Mahutga stands remembered with reverence, gratitude, and love.
Red ID: FND_I_79757

Collection: FND001 Digitized Images from Collection
Title: SHSND Foundation - North Dakota Heritage Family Memorial Program
Date: -

Summary: The North Dakota Heritage Family Memorial Program is sponsored by the North Dakota Funeral Directors Association. The life stories of deceased North Dakotans are featured in an archvied collection. Current partners in the project are Eastgate Funeral & Cremation Services, Bismarck Evans Funeral Homes, Carrington and New Rockford Everson-Coughlin Funeral Home, Williston Fulkerson Funeral Home, Tioga Fulkerson Funeral Home, Watford City Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home, Williston Nero Funeral Home, Bottineau Parkway Funeral Service, Bismarck Springan Stevenson Funeral Home, Stanley Stevenson Funeral Home, Dickinson These funeral homes provide recent obituaries to the Foundation, where staff and volunteers format, edit and archive each memorial. The memorials are posted, and copies are sent to the family for their input and approval. The listing currently features more than 13,000 memorials, and is constantly updated as new memorials and histories are received.

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