James "Jim" Borchert

James L. Borchert, Age 88 , of Mandan, ND passed away at his home October 23rd . A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 AM, on Friday October 31, 2025, at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 904 8th Ave SE, Mandan, ND

Visitation will be held at 10:00 AM, on Friday October 31, 2025, at Redeemer Lutheran Church. with Pastor Joshua Janke officiating. Eastgate Funeral Home, Bismarck is in charge of the arrangements.

Jim was born July 7th,1937 to Adolph and Grace McDowall Borchert at the Elgin Hospital.

He attended country school through the 8th grade and attended 2 yrs. at Carson High School.

Jim married Nyla Gomke in 1957. Two sons, Donavon and Scott were born to this union.

He later married Arlene Hillius Arndt in 1971. Arlene’s children Audi, Audrey, Robin, Lori and their families were welcomed into the family.

Jim farmed and ranched in the earlier years on his farm north of Carson, N.D. A corn chopping accident took part of his left arm. He always had a positive attitude with the use of his prosthesis and did a lot of work with it. Throughout the years there are many stories of him using it to weld and hammer, occasionally nicking it with a sawblade and even welding it together while working in his shop.

Jim and Arlene spent time in Glasgow, Mt. for vocational training after they were married. Upon completion of training, Jim and Arlene moved to Mandan where he accepted employment with the N.D. State Correctional Facility in 1972 as the Work Release Program Manager. He retired from that position in 2000. He was very honored to receive the recognition award of “Outstanding Handicapped Citizen of the Year” in 1984 from the Bismarck Mayors Committee of Employment.

In his younger years, Jim enjoyed fishing, camping, traveling and spending time with family and friends. He enjoyed collecting toys, especially International tractors.

After retirement, Jim discovered his passion for buying and restoring late model International tractors and participating in parades and Tractor Treks. He was always looking for that special tractor to restore that would “standout” or would be hard to find. He had a beautiful collection that he was very proud of.

Jim put many miles on his vehicles driving down to his farm to feed, and sometimes doctor on his barn cats, mow or do whatever needed to be done. Though he wasn’t living on the farm, that is where his heart was. He enjoyed stopping in at Almont to drink coffee, eat cookies and swap conversation with everybody at Gene Peterson’s shop and Boy, did he like his cookies!

His door was always open to company. He always enjoyed reminiscing about his younger days back in the Carson area, having a little too much fun and driving some fast cars! He always had a cold pop in the fridge for whoever wanted one. Jim was a very independent man. He was like the “Energizer Bunny”, he just wanted to keep moving as long as he could. Jim had many health problems but was determined to stay in his home.

He will be greatly missed and now is on his last journey, most likely driving a restored late model International tractor. God Bless his memory.

Jim is survived by his sons Donavon (Lisa), Scott (Jeri), Step Children Audi Arndt, Audrey Johnson, Robin Arndt, Lori Frank and their families, sister Vonda Bailey and numerous nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife Arlene, parents Adolph & Grace, sister Margo Kleven, and brothers in law John Bailey and Gary Kleven.

We want to thank all of Jim’s friends, family and neighbors who have graciously taken the time to lend him a helping hand whether it was to cook, bake, clean or run errands etc. It truly takes a village. You all will be forever in our hearts. God Bless!

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave us his only begotten Son, that whosoever Believeth in Him should not Perish but have Everlasting Life.

In lieu of flowers, please consider memorials in his honor to the Mandan Meals on Wheels, Furry Friends Rockin Rescue, Bismarck, Kitty City or Central Dakota Humane Society, Mandan, N.D.