James Wilwant, 80, of Lancaster, Minnesota passed away at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks on Friday, August 21, 2015. James Herman Wilwant was born January 20, 1935 at Pembina, North Dakota to William and Margaret (Barnhorst) Wilwant. His family moved to Lancaster when James was five years old and he attended school there. At the age of 16 he and his brother, Richard, left for California. They traveled on to Texas and worked there for several years. Jim served with the U.S. Army from 1955 to 1958 and was stationed in France. He returned to Lancaster in 1961 and worked at several area businesses. On February 13, 1965 he was united in marriage to Rita Peterson. They settled on a farm in St. Joseph Township in 1971. Jim began working for Great Lakes Gas Company in 1973 and retired from there in 1996. Jim enjoyed hunting, fishing and loved the land he lived on. He especially loved his three granddaughters, Tamara, Haley and Katie. James is survived by his wife, Rita; two sons, Mark (Tina) of Lancaster and Mitch (Dave), Jordan, NY; three granddaughters, Tamara, Haley and Katie; two great grandchildren; a brother, Richard Wilwant, Lancaster, nieces, nephews and his critters. He was preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers, Robert and Edwin. Memorial services are scheduled for Thursday, August 27, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. in the Lancaster Community Center, Lancaster, Minnesota. Honorary pall bearers will be nieces and nephews. Peggy Wilebski, pianist and Galen Nordin, soloist. A flag presentation will be made by veterans service officer, Robert Cameron.