James "Jim" Patrick Choc

James “Jim” Choc, age 66, of Lengby, MN, passed away on Wednesday, January 24^th, at Sanford on Broadway under care of hospice after a battle with cancer. A visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service on Thursday, February 1^st, at the Carlin Funeral Home in Fosston with the Rev. Gene Lilienthal officiating. Interment will be held at a later date. Arrangements are with Carlin Family Funeral Service of Fosston and messages of condolence may be shared at www.carlinfuneral.com. 

James “Jim” Choc, age 66, of Lengby, MN, passed away on Wednesday, January 24^th, at Sanford on Broadway under care of hospice after a battle with cancer. A visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service on Thursday, February 1^st, at the Carlin Funeral Home in Fosston with the Rev. Gene Lilienthal officiating. Interment will be held at a later date. Arrangements are with Carlin Family Funeral Service of Fosston and messages of condolence may be shared at www.carlinfuneral.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred. 

James Patrick Choc was born on March 17, 1957, in Fosston, Minnesota to parents Archie and LaVella (Ihrke) Choc of Lengby, Minnesota. He graduated from Mahnomen High School in 1975.

Jim was united in marriage to Cindy Riggs on March 18, 1978, in Shevlin, Minnesota. They made their home on their farm in the Lengby area.

Jim was a logger at heart, keeping busy with firewood. Over the years he worked for Donny Maruska in the woods as a teenager; worked with his uncle, Charles Ihrke, on the farm with pigs, beef cows and a few sheep. Jim and his brothers-in-law, Dennis and Larry, started C & R Logging and they logged together for many years. Then, while the kids were in high school, he milked cows. He had also worked at Team Industries as a machinist, then MDV in Fosston, American Crystal Sugar, Balstad Farms, and then Keller Farms. 

Jim loved the outdoors, hunting, fishing trapping, and spearing (and all types of fishing). It was important that he pass on his knowledge of fishing to his grandchildren. He also enjoyed playing cards, making sausage and also making jerky in his dryer. He loved sharing the never-ending cup of coffee and his love of food with family and friends.

Jim passed away peacefully, with his wife at his side, on Wednesday, January 24, 2024, at Sanford on Broadway under care of Hospice after a battle with cancer at the age of 66 years.

Survivors include his wife, Cindy, of Lengby; son, Keith (Marissa) of Bagley, MN; daughters, Lora Thielke (Michael Johnson) of Lengby and Jessica (Ben) Fauchald of Lengby; one sister, LaVonne (Bob) Ritter of Largo, FL; his dog, Ruby Girl; grandchildren, Thor, Shelby, Ella, Preston and Grace; and extended grandchildren, Gabe, Allie, Tori, James, and Neil. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Archie and LaVella; infant oldest brother and youngest sister; and numerous aunts and uncles; and his favorite cattle dog, Zip.