James R. Karhoff • 1951 - 2005

James R. Karhoff, 54, Phoenix, AZ, formerly of Burlington, ND, died Friday, December 23, 2005 in his home.

Jim was born on November 19, 1951, the son of Douglas and Mary (Voeller) Karhoff in Minot. He was reared and educated in the Burlington/Des Lacs area, graduating from Des Lacs High School in 1969 as valedictorian of his class. Following graduation, he attended North Dakota State University, Fargo, for one year.

On October 23, 1970, Jim enlisted into the United States Army. The military pursued Jim to attend West Point, but instead he chose other dreams. He was assigned to the HHC 14th Trans and was a UH-1 helicopter repairman in the Vietnam War. He proudly served his country and received the NDSM, VSM, VCM W/60 DEV, 1 O/SBAR, GC medal, and the SPS m-16 medals. He was honorably discharged on April 23, 1972.

Following his discharge he returned to NDSU and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering. Because of Jim's superior academic performance, he was awarded the NDSU "Distinguished Student" award and membership in the Tau Beta Pi and the Eta Kappa Nu honor societies. In college he was a member of the VETs Club, Flying Club and had obtained a pilot's license. He graduated with honors in 1975.

After graduation, he worked for a short time with the Erie Mining Company, in the Iron Range of Virginia, MN. In October 1975, he joined the staff of Central Power Electrical Cooperative, Inc., Minot, as a power systems engineer, responsible for transmission line and substation design. He worked there until December 1988. Jim then worked as an independent electrical engineering consultant for various contracting firms based out of Billings, MT, Chicago, IL and Phoenix, AZ.
Jim is remembered for his extreme intelligence, friendly and good-natured personality, witty humor and immeasurable talents and abilities to do anything he desired. Some of these included carpentry, mechanics, electrical design, electronics, plumbing, drawing, music, hunting, skiing, horticulture and one of his favorites, fishing. When growing up, Jim was very supportive and helpful to his family and friends. Since he was young, he was either building something, fixing it or learning new things. Jim was very perceptive, a deep thinker and would welcome endless time to visit with friends or relatives. He will be greatly missed.

He is survived by: Mother: Mary Karhoff, Burlington, ND; brother: John "J.D." (Patty) Karhoff, Burlington, ND; sister: Jeanne Karhoff, Bismarck, ND; nephews: Shane and Brandon Karhoff; nieces: Leticia and Deidre Karhoff. uncle: Bennie Voeller, Climax, MN; aunt: Helen Avens, Billings, MT; and several cousins

Jim was preceded in death by his father, Douglas, grandparents, and numerous aunts and uncles.

Visitation: Friday, January 6, 2006 from noon until 7:00 p.m. at the Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot.

Vigil Prayer Service: Friday, January 6, 2006, at 7:00 p.m. at the Thompson-Larson Funeral Home Chapel, Minot.

Mass of Christian Burial: Saturday, January 7, 2006 at 10:30 a.m. at St. John the Apostle Catholic Church, Minot

Burial: New Veteran's Section at Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot

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