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Jim Coats farmed his entire life


Jim Coats, 65, of Doland, died peacefully surrounded by family members on Saturday, April 6, 2013, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls.
Funeral services were held Friday, April 12, 2013, at the United Methodist Church in Doland.
Burial followed in the Doland Cemetery under the direction of Furness Funeral Home of Clark.
He was born James Leslie Coats on March 17, 1948, in Miller, the son of Francis and Gleo (Roberts) Coats. The family moved later that year to a farm near Doland. Jim attended school in Doland, graduating from Doland High School in 1966, and then continuing to farm with his dad.
On July 1, 1967, he was united in marriage to Chris Thompson of Doland. To this union four children were born, James, Shelley, John and Erin.
Jim married Jane Mehlberg on Aug. 14, 1982, in Raymond. To this union two children, Jennifer and Josh, were born.
Jim was a farmer all of his life, loving the land, raising cattle and hogs. In addition to farming, Jim was very proud to say he was a blade and equipment operator for Ken Hiles Construction, and since 1997 was a blade operator for the Spink County Highway Dept., retiring in November of 2012.
He was also very active in many community affairs, serving on the Belle Blaine Township Board for many years, the Doland School Board for 25 years, serving as president, enjoyed bowling, hunting, softball, car races and being an avid fan of the Minnesota Twins and Vikings. Second to none, though, was his loving family. He spent countless hours with all of his children and grandchildren, attending their school events and being a proud supporter of Doland High School and all of its events.
Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Jane Coats of Doland; his father, Francis Coats of Doland; mother-in-law, Eleanor Mehlberg of Raymond; children, James (Lisa) Coats of Huron, Shelley Coats of Doland, John (Susan) Coats of Brookings, Erin Coats (Brian Ellison) of Aberdeen, Jennifer Coats of Mitchell and Josh Coats (Bailey Hulbert) of Doland; seven grandchildren, Stephanie, Samantha, Kannon, Kimberly, Payton, Aries and Kailea; and a sister, Cheri Martian of Trail City.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Gleo, his father-in-law Clarence Mehlberg and a brother-in-law Richard Martian.

 

 

Jim Coats

Jim Coats

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