James George Bingham
James George Bingham, 96, of Bemidji, MN died Wednesday, February 4, 2026 at his home.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 am Monday, February 16, 2026 at St. Philip’s Catholic Church in Bemidji, MN. Visitation will be from 2 – 5 pm with a wake service at 3 pm Sunday Feb. 15 at the Cease Family Funeral Home in Bemidji and one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be at the Hansville (St. Mary’s) Cemetery near Fosston, MN in the spring.
James G. Bingham was born February 5, 1929 in Leeds, ND, the son of James LaVerne (Vern) and Ida Mae (Jenkins) Bingham. In 1940 the family moved to Fosston, MN, where Jim graduated from Fosston High School in 1947.
On February 25, 1952, he married the Love of his Life June Ann LaVoi of Fosston. That union created nine children. Together, they built a life rooted in faith, hard work, and devotion to family, and raising their children. The first year of their marriage was spent on the Iron Range, where Jim worked as a telegrapher for the Great Northern Railroad.
In 1953, they moved back to Fosston where Jim was employed with Land O’ Lakes until 1966. At the age of 37, Jim returned to school at the University of MN, Crookston, where he completed a degree in Natural Resources. He worked as a Business analyst for 25 years with the State of MN and the Federal Government, based out of Detroit Lakes and Bemidji, MN.
Alongside his professional career, Jim farmed from 1956 until his retirement in 1994, working the land each year and growing a variety of crops. He put in many hours to provide for his children but he was never alone, his best partner was always by his side, his wife, June Ann. Following his retirement, he and his wife moved to Bemidji.
Jim and June were active members at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Fosston. Jim took an active role for several years in the development and ongoing work associated with both cemeteries of St. Mary’s Church. He continued his service with the Church until they moved to Bemidji in 1994. There, they became parishioners of the St. Philip’s Catholic Church in Bemidji, MN.
During Jim’s retirement, he authored two novels: The first, autobiographical novel titled Our Earthly Journey, chronicled the story of his and June’s life together. The second novel, The Essence Within, was a collection of true life stories and personal philosophies that were near and dear to his heart. Both volumes were dedicated to his family and their descendants.
Later in life, Native American history and writing became two of Jim’s primary interests. The Bingham family cherishes both of these novels for many reasons. In particular for the ancestral documentation, but also for all the time and passion Jim devoted to writing each one. His writing remains a lasting and meaningful gift to his family.
Alongside his passion to write, Jim found great enjoyment being with his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Jim and June had a strong faith and high values that guided them and their children in their daily life.
One of Jim’s greatest joys, aside from time spent with his wife and family, was being on his farm surrounded by nature. Among many animals, there was one animal that Jim loved and respected was the wolf. He believed the wolf shared the strongest spiritual connection to humans and often spoke of its intelligence, loyalty, and importance within our natural world. Jim also enjoyed reading, particularly books about Native American cultures and other ethnicities. Everyone enjoyed Jim’s sense of humor and always appreciated his strong commitment and the immense love he had for his wife Junie.
James is survived by his eight children, Sharon (John) Lefstad, Jeff (Karen) Bingham, Cathy (Ron) Olson, Theresa (Les) Anderson, Wayne (Carol) Bingham, Jamie (Paul) Muller, Annette (Brian) Combo, and Jenny (Chris) Gronli, 25 Grandchildren, and 30 Great Grandchildren, and his brother William “Bill” Bingham. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife June Ann (LaVoi), and their infant son, James Arthur, and sister-in-law Betty Bingham.
Memorials are preferred to the Sisters of St. Benedict (Crookston) or Bemidji Sanford Hospice.