James "Jim" LeFebre

James "Jim" LeFebre, age 86, of Lodgepole, SD, passed away on Saturday evening, June 28, 2025 at the Western Horizons Care Center in Hettinger, ND.

Visitation for Jim was held on Saturday evening, July 5, 2025 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Centennial Chapel of the Evanson Jensen Funeral Home in Hettinger, ND.

Funeral services for Jim were held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 6, 2025 at the Holland Center Christian Reformed Church southwest of Lodgepole, SD, with Pastor Brad Burkhalter officiating.  Burial followed in the church cemetery. 

James was born to Cornelius and Ruth (Fredlund) LeFebre on July 1, 1938, joining siblings Richard, Carol, and Fern on the family farm south of Lodgepole. He attended Fredlund School through 8th grade, and then Hettinger High School. After graduation he chose to stay on the farm and work together with his parents. He treasured the summers his nephews spent with him on the farm, and they always held a special place in his heart. 

Jim married Beverly (Doerr) Dragoo on November 11, 1975, and welcomed Lana and Ron into his life. A year later Carol Ann was born. While Jim was hoping for a boy, he soon found that having a “daddy’s durl” wasn’t so bad, either. Three years later their family was made complete with the addition of Mark Alan. Jim was ecstatic to have his little “hired man” to work by his side and pass his knowledge and skills on to. And together they built a life they loved on their little farm down in the valley. 

Jim loved the Lord. He loved his “Bevvy” - they worked together as partners on the farm, never ran out of things to talk about, and never a cross word was spoken. They were always holding hands, and when her health began to deteriorate, he dedicated himself to caring for her. He loved his family – his wallet was bursting at the seams with photos, and he’d share pictures and stories about his loved ones with anyone who would listen. He loved this country – he was in the North Dakota National Guard for a number of years and was 1st Lieutenant and Company Commander of the Hettinger Unit when he left in 1968. He forged many lifelong friendships during his time in the National Guard. He loved Ford vehicles, Ford and International Harvester tractors, and Vermeer balers (because they’re made by Christian Reformed Dutchmen). He loved everything about farming and ranching, but harvest was his favorite.  It was a sacred time - getting his 403 International combines prepped for the season, tailgate lunchbreaks, teaching the next generation how to drive the truck and combine, working late into the night to gather the last windrow of grain before the arrival of the predicted storms, keeping the running tally of bushels in his brain so he could proudly report the yield, and trips to the elevator in his blue1974 Ford truck to deliver the fruits of the year’s labor. He loved working in his shop – repairing or restoring vehicles, building and creating things. There was nothing he couldn’t fix or figure out, and there are numerous clever little inventions around the farm that he created over the years. He loved helping people and would drop what he was doing and give the shirt off his back to do so. He loved talking to people and making connections, and “never met a stranger,” as they say – much to the embarrassment of his children. He loved music, harmony, and singing, and was one of the founding members of The Borderline Singers. He was a man of his word, and valued honesty, integrity, and hard work. He took on many side jobs throughout the years to help make ends meet, including hauling hay and driving a mail route. And he loved to laugh – always with a twinkle in his eye and a joke or story at the ready. 

Grateful for having shared his life are Jim’s children, Lana Ellenwood of Rapid City, and Ron (Brenda) Dragoo of Hettinger; Carol (Mike) Stolley of Pierre, and Mark (Dodie) LeFebre of Mobridge; grandchildren Erin (Adam) Fahrner, Jordan Frey, and Ryan (Brianna) Ellenwood, Christopher (Ginger) Dragoo, Stephen (Kerry) Dragoo, and Heather (Jeb) Boxrud, James and Kate Stolley, and Lily LeFebre; great-grandchildren Bella, Aubrey, and Emilia Fahrner, Lydia Ellenwood, Layla and Madison Dragoo, Jason Dragoo, and Briggs, Hartley, Gordee, Fitzgerald, and Wilder Boxrud; one sister Fern Stuart; sister-in-law Marianne LeFebre; one niece, Cindy (Kraig) Westendorf and five nephews, Larry and Jay LeFebre, and Gary, David, and Ken Loper. 

Welcoming Jim to his eternal home are his wife Bev, parents Ruth and Cornelius LeFebre, siblings Charlotte and Richard LeFebre, and Carol Isakson; brothers-in-law Jerome Isakson and Lyle Stuart; one nephew and two nieces, Mark and Leann Isakson and Cathy (Jim) Haugo.