James Forman

James Dean Forman, age 84 of Milbank, SD passed away on February 5, 2020, at Milbank Area Hospital – Avera Health.

Funeral services will be held at a later date in April.

James Dean Forman was born on April 26, 1935, at home on the family farm in Osceola Township near Marvin, SD. He was the firstborn child of Ezra and Frances (Chamley) Forman. He attended school at Osceola #1 in Marvin through the eighth grade, then graduated from Milbank High School in 1953. His life plan changed when his father, Ezra, died in 1953, and he became a farmer rather than going on to college. He married Carol Tollefson on May 25, 1955, and they were the parents of five children: Todd, Peggy, Connie, Chris, and Jodi. They divorced in 1983. He married Vonnie (Hanson) Nankivel on December 26, 1996.

Jim lived and worked on the Forman farm until it was sold in 1980. Jim continued to do some farming through 1981, then worked in sales and as a crop adjustor for Dawson Crop Insurance until his retirement. He lived in West Fargo, ND, from 1981-1988, then moved to Milbank where he lived until his death.

Jim played guitar and sang country music from his teen years on. Hank Williams songs were a special favorite. He sang at community events, family gatherings, and nearly every evening at home. He was a lover of reading (especially history), Scrabble games, crossword puzzles, card games of all types, and Poker. He played baseball in his youth and golf as he got older.

Jim is survived by his wife, Vonnie, of Milbank, SD; sister, Patti (Don) Aesoph of Milbank, SD; brother, Clarence (Daryl) Forman of Santa Monica, CA; brother, Marley Forman of Milbank, SD; his children: Todd Forman of Milbank, SD; Peggy (Jeff) Schuelke of Revillo, SD; Connie Forman Kafka of Sioux Falls, SD; Chris (Julie) Forman of Watertown, SD; Jodi Forman of Sioux Falls, SD; Scott Nankivel of Los Angeles, CA; and Todd (Cindy) Nankivel of Fargo, ND; grandchildren: Russ Schuelke, Daniel Schuelke, Rachel Schuelke Wyant, Blaine Reynolds, Hannah Schuelke, Sarah Kafka Radel, Casey Kafka, Spencer Kafka, Jared Aesoph, Olivia Forman, Jesse Forman, Emily Grandprey, Brianna Grandprey, Isabella Nankivel, and Jaxson Nankivel; and eight great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, William Forman; sister, Donna Forman; and all of his aunts and uncles.