James Schatz, 85, Bismarck, passed away on July 14, 2026.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30AM on Tuesday, July 21, at Faith Lutheran Church, 1402 E Ave C, Bismarck, ND. Visitation will be held one hour prior.

Burial will be held at 1PM at North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan, ND.

James Leroy Schatz was born on June 5, 1941, in Grant County, North Dakota, to Pete and Hilda Schatz. He grew up in Carson, where he graduated from high school and got his start in the printing industry.

Following graduation, James joined the United States Air Force. During his military service, he was stationed in Alaska, and traveled to California and Hawaii. An avid photographer, he captured countless memories of his travels, leaving behind a collection of photographs that reflected his time in those places.

James met the love of his life, Bernice Hoffer, at Kroll's Diner in Bismarck, where she worked with his sister, Patty. The couple was united in marriage on June 16, 1972. They had two children, Donald Schatz of Mandan, North Dakota, and Darla Schatz Schriock (Shane) of Lincoln, North Dakota.

Throughout his career, James worked in the printing industry, moving from shop to shop before finding his home at Central Duplicating in the North Dakota State Capitol building in Bismarck. He dedicated more than 20 years there before retiring.

In 2008 and 2011, his two grandchildren Addyson and Easton were born and they were the world to him.

James was a devoted coin collector who enjoyed searching for coins, carefully cleaning them, and organizing them into collectible albums. He assembled many complete sets to pass along to his children and grandchildren.

When he wasn't collecting coins, James could usually be found watching a ballgame, especially basketball or football. Don't tell anyone, but he was a Minnesota Vikings fan… though he probably never would have admitted it himself.

Known for his wonderful sense of humor, James loved teasing Bernice and getting her "blood pumping." He was famous for his playful one-liners, including calling the computer a "confuser." His smile, laughter, and lighthearted spirit will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

James is preceded in death by his parents, Pete and Hilda Schatz; his brothers, Victor and Duane; his mother and father-in-law, Elizabeth and Walter Hoffer; his brother-in-law’s Rueben and Wilbert Hoffer; and his sister-in-law Edna Pease

He is survived by his wife, Bernice; his four sisters, Shirley, Carol, Patty, and Anna; his son, Donald; his sisters-in-law’s Lillian, Esther, Ida, Irene; his brother-in-law David; his daughter, Darla (Shane) Schriock; his two grandchildren, Addyson and Easton; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.