James Arthur Tamte

James A. Tamte, 86, of Britt, passed away Wednesday, December 6, 2017 at Essentia Health in Virginia. A Memorial Service will be held at Hope Community Presbyterian Church on Thursday, January 4th at 2:00, followed by a reception in the church basement. Anyone with a story to share about Jim will be invited to speak during the service. Arrangements are with Range Funeral Home in Virginia. To sign the online guest book or send condolences, please visit www.rangefuneralhomes.com

Jim was born August 31, 1931 to Oscar and Florence (Helstrom) Tamte and raised in Virginia MN, where he attended grade school and High School. He is the youngest in a family of 9 brothers and sisters. Jim met his wife, Caryl Nelson, while at the University of MN where he got his Bachelor’s degree. They were married May 15th, 1954 in Neuman Grove, Nebraska. Caryl and Jim first lived in Colorado Springs, CO. while Jim was in the Army and then moved to Chicago, Illinois where he went to the North Park Theological Seminary. While at North Park their daughter Sheri was born.
Caryl and Jim then moved to Denver where Jim finished his doctoral degree in Educational Psychology. After graduation he served as the Dean of Students at both Northern Illinois University in Dekalb, and at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff. While in Dekalb their son Perry was born. The family moved to Sand Lake in 1969 and Jim taught at Mesabi Community College until his retirement.

Jim and his family lived at Sand Lake for 38 years, a place dear to his heart, his family had a cabin there when he was a child. He could often be found in the screen porch thinking deep thoughts, puffing on his pipe and reading about US history.

Jim and Caryl loved to travel and took many trips across the US to see the National Parks and visit his son Perry's family in Seattle. Jim was passionate about fly fishing and shared his hobby with several friends. He often planned driving vacations based on how many trout streams he could fish in on the way! The North shore of Lake Superior also held a special place in his heart and he visited there to fish and camp with his family and friends. Jim and Caryl were actively involved with the Presbyterian church and served the church in many capacities over the years.

Jim is survived by his, daughter Sheri, Loretto MN, son Perry, Lynnwood, WA, seven grandchildren, a great grandson, and his sister Lois of Eveleth, MN.

01/04/2018 at 2:00 pm
Hope Community Presbyterian Church, South 5th Avenue, Virginia, MN, United States

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