James D. Mansfield Obituary

James Dale (Jim) Mansfield was born on October 19, 1931, in a log home 13 miles north of Vetal, SD. He was the second child of Dale and Helen (Blankenfeld) Mansfield who would eventually have 11 children in all. Soon after Jim’s birth, the family moved to Wanamaker living there until 1936 when they relocated to a sod house on Pass Creek.

Jim began his formal education at Pass Creek Country School which he attended for eight years. He started high school in Martin, SD in 1945. In March of 1946, the family moved to Calumet, Iowa, where he attended school until January of 1947. At that time, the family moved near Cherokee, IA, where Jim completed high school, graduating in 1949.

During and after his high school career, Jim worked for various farmers in Iowa. In 1951 he decided to return to SD where he worked for his uncles Bill and Bert before entering the U.S. Army. On October 7, 1952 Jim left from the Kadoka Depot for basic training in Fort Leonard Wood, MO. Upon completion of Basic Training, he shipped to Korea where he operated heavy equipment in an engineering unit during the Korean War. He continued in the engineering unit until the end of his service when he was honorably discharged at the rank of Sergeant in July of 1954.

Jim returned to Iowa and then to SD to work on ranches after his service in the Army. In June of 1955, Jim moved to St. Louis, MO, where he attended mechanics school for two years. He then moved to Valentine, NE, and worked in the Chevy Garage. Prior to going to St Louis, he had met Fayola Griswold and they married on June 24, 1959, in Belvidere, SD. Jim and Fayola were in Valentine for a few months and then moved to a one room schoolhouse south of Belvidere in the fall of 1959 so she could teach school. Jim worked for his Uncle Shorty and ran cat and scraper helping build dams in the Jackson/Washabaugh area. In the spring of 1960, the couple moved to Kadoka when Jim was hired to work at the Tri State Elevator which later was sold to Hubbard Milling Company. He retired from his career working in elevators in 1996. During his elevator stint he managed the Belvidere and Kadoka Hubbard elevators at various times. He took a break from the elevators in the 1980s and worked for Hildebrand Construction in Kadoka. After his retirement he pursued his true passion working with his son Aaron and family farming and ranching until his passing.

In 1968 Jim and Fayola started a family sadly with the stillborn birth of son Jon Charles. In 1970 daughter Alison Laurel was born and in 1973 son Aaron James. As the years passed, son-in-law Mike and daughter-in-law Michelle joined the family. His family was complete when grandsons came. Thomas James Davis was born in 1998, and Tyrel James Mansfield in 2004. Jim followed his grandsons to High School Football games in SD and WY including state playoffs and a state championship, also to Musical and Theater performances, and rodeos including High School and College National Finals.

Jim loved the Lord and was a member of the Belvidere Community Church serving as a past elder and deacon. He was a fifty plus year member of the American Legion and Masonic Lodge. He served on the Kadoka Town Council in the 1960s and was a past member of the KCBA. Jim looked forward to and took pride in mixing pancakes each year for the annual Kadoka Homecoming Pancake Supper.

Jim is survived by his wife of 61 years Fayola; his son and family Aaron, Michelle and Tyrel; daughter and family Alison, Mike and Thomas; siblings Audrey Neifer, Harry (Anita) Mansfield, Betty (Butch) Schmidt, Richard (Linda) Mansfield, and Judy Gross, bothers-in-law Mervin (Lori) Griswold, and Verlin (Sheila) Griswold and a host of other relatives.

He is proceeded in death by his infant son Jon, his parents, sisters Jean Ireland, Virginia Gagnon, Linda Flewelling, Gail Reinert, and brother Keith Mansfield.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to the funeral service at the auditorium.

Funeral services will be held 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 2, 2021 at the Kadoka City Auditorium.

Interment with military honors will follow at the Belvidere Cemetery.

The funeral service will be livestreamed and can be viewed at this webpage at the start of the service.

Guest Book

Fayola, Aaron, Allison and families we are so sorry for your loss. Im sorry we could not attend the service today in person however we were able to attend online. It was a wonderful service for a wonderful man who will be dearly missed.

~ James & Bridget Mansfield Kadoka sd (1/2/2021)

Our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family. So sorry for your loss. Jim was an awesome guy
~ Kathy (Kusick) Pillen Hermosa SD (12/28/2020)

Fayola and the rest of the Mansfield family. Dad (Peter) and I send you our sympathy.
~ Mike Blankenfeld Hospers, IA (1/2/2021)

Fayola
So sorry to hear of Jim's passing. Prayers and condolences to your family .
~ Patty Morris (Seidler) Menifee, CA (12/26/2020)

To the Family of Jim Mansfield. Jim was a terrific person with great sense of humor. He was one I looked forward to seeing and talking with. Jim will be missed. My condolences. Edward Kodet
~ Edward Kodet Minneapolis (12/30/2020)

I am so sorry of your loss at this time, no time is a good time to loss someone.
~ Mary Kehrer (Frink) Port Charlotte, FL (12/27/2020)

Our sympathy to you, may your memories help during this time of loss.
~ Bill and Marsha Sumpter Kadoka (12/28/2020)

Dear Fayola and family,
On behalf of the Byrd family, I express our sincere sympathy for the loss of not only a kind, hardworking man, but a loving husband, father and grandfather. May your fondest memories stay with you always and bring you peace.
Karen Byrd
~ Karen Byrd Kadoka,SD (12/28/2020)

Arizona
~ Bob & Sharel Spears Wickenburgso (1/3/2021)

Dear Fayola, Alison, Aaron, Thomas and Tyrell, My heart is broken for you . Praying for peace and healing for all of you. Jim was one of the best.
~ Etta Evans Texas (12/26/2020)

Thanks for serving
~ A Veteran (12/29/2020)

My thoughts are with you all at this difficult time
~ Eileen Stolley Kadoka (12/29/2020)

Our prayers are with you at this difficult time. Jim willbe greatly missed.
~ Frank and Judy Rawhouser Four Corners WY (12/28/2020)

Oh, man!! I am so sorry. Jim was such a good guy. Heaven has gained a smile.
~ Fran Smith Watford City, ND (12/27/2020)

~ David W. Ireland Lake Charles, LA (12/27/2020)

So sorry to read of Jim's passing. Sending love and sympathy to all of you.
~ Ron & Marilyn Gartner Casa Grande AZ (12/26/2020)

I am so sorry for your loss. Jim was such a hard-working man and always had a smile. I will miss him.
~ Michelle George Spirit Lake, Iowa (12/27/2020)

Jim was a great friend of our family we wil miss him in our hayfield next year for sure. Send our love and hugs to the Family.
~ Bruce and Bonnie Madsen Kadoka South Dakota (12/28/2020)

Fayola, we are so sad to hear of Jim's death. We have many wonderful memories of our Hubbard trips together every year. Jim was a very special guy who will be missed by many. Hold on to all the memories.
~ Les & Joann Pearson Philip, SD (12/26/2020)

Fayola, my heart is broken for you and the family at the loss of Jim. He was the older brother that every one should have. Our kids remember him as the uncle who they always had fun with, who made them silver dollar pancakes. He was a blessing in all our lives and we will miss him terrible. Our love and condolences to you, to Alison, Mike and Thomas, and to Aaron, Michelle and Tyrel. Our love and prayers are with you all.
~ Betty J. Schmidt 204 West 4th Street P.O. Box 247 (12/27/2020)

I am so sorry for your loss. Everyone who knew Jim knows what an amazing person he was. We will miss him. We love you all.
~ Marcia Kelley Sioux City, IA (12/27/2020)

So sorry to hear of Jim's passing. Love and prayers to all.
~ Ellie Bettelyoun Martin, SD (12/27/2020)

NE
~ Beth Branstiter Barger Bloomfield (12/27/2020)

Fayola, Alison and Aaron, You are in my thoughts and prayers.
~ Sandi Keifert Brentwood, TN (1/1/2021)

Fayola I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
~ Darlene Cudmore FORT PIERRE (12/27/2020)

May God spread his loving arms around you.
~ Cindy Croson Smedra Omaha, NE (12/29/2020)

Arizona
~ Bob & Sharel Spears Wickenburgso (1/3/2021)

I was very blesed to know Jim. I always enjoy talking to Jim. I remember when he would load me at the old elevator in Belvidere. What a place. He will be missed.
~ Larry Swift Box 303 Philip, SD 57567 (12/27/2020)