James H. Winkels, 57, Valley City, ND, passed away November 3, 2024, at his home while watching his beloved MN Vikings.  A memorial service will be held Saturday, November 9 in the Lerud Mathias Funeral Home Chapel, Valley City, at 7:00 PM.  Visitation will be held an hour prior to the start of the service.  The service will be live streamed, then archived, on a link provided along with his obituary on his tribute page at www.lerudmathias.com.  An online guestbook is available there as well.  He was an avid MN Vikings fan, so you are encouraged to wear your Viking purple.  If you aren’t a Viking fan, it’s ok to wear something from one of the other teams.  Burial will be in St. Catherine Catholic Cemetery, Valley City following the 10:30 Mass on Sunday, November 10.

James Harold Winkels was born November 26, 1966, in Valley City, ND, to Charles and Caren (Flach) Winkels.

He grew up in Sebeka, MN where he graduated from high school in 1986.  James was active in 4H, FFA and theatre.  Following graduation, he went on to the University of Minnesota at Crookston where he attained his associates degree.

He worked as a caregiver at SMP Health-St. Raphael (formerly the Sheyenne Care Center) in Valley City.

James is survived by his mother, Caren of Sebeka, MN; brothers, Bill of Sebeka and Wayne (Mary) of Clear Lake, MN; sister, Janelle (Mike) Bannerman of Blue Springs, MO; nieces and nephews, Joseph, Liane, Mitch, Megan, Samantha, Stephanie, and Abigail; great niece and nephews, Nathaniel, Joshua, and Olivia; along with many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father; grandparents, Mike and Olivia Winkels and Leo and Alice Fieber; as well as several aunts, uncles and cousins.