James “Jim” Doyle, 73, of Flandreau, passed away on Sunday, February 9, 2025. A memorial mass will be held at 10:30 AM, Thursday, February 13, 2025 at Ss. Simon and Jude Catholic Church in Flandreau, SD. Family present visitation will take place from 5:00 to 7:00PM with a prayer service beginning at 7:00PM on Wednesday, February 12, 2025 at Skroch Funeral Chapel in Flandreau, SD.
James Michael Doyle was born July 16, 1951 to his loving parents Kenneth Leo and Clara Inger (Wendehl) Doyle. He grew up on a farm outside of Flandreau where he called home his entire life. He attended the first eight years of school at one-room schoolhouses in Moody County (Bell School and Tidd School). Jim attended high school at Flandreau Public High School, graduating in the Class of 1969 (The first class graduating from the new high school). After graduation, he worked construction, including pouring the concrete footings for Frost Arena at SDSU and building mobile homes at Guerdon Industries in Madison, SD.
Jim married Brenda Lee Boersma on August 25, 1972 at Flandreau, SD. In 1973, they began farming northwest of Flandreau. To this union, two sons were born: Jesse James and Daniel Joseph Doyle. Along with raising their sons, they also raised purebred Spot breeding hogs, beef cattle, sheep, corn, beans, and oats. Jim worked at J & K Building Center from 1993 – 1997. In 1997, after farming 24 years, Jim and Brenda had a farm sale and moved into Flandreau. In 1997, Jim went to work at Big Sioux Community Water. After working there 20 years, Jim retired in 2017. After retirement, Jim did fall tillage for Rick and Adam Wiese, and Randy Wilts.
Jim was a lifetime member of Ss. Simon and Jude Catholic Church in Flandreau. Jim served on the Flandreau Public School Board for nine years (1988-1997) and Flandreau City Council for five years (1998-2003). He was a Moody County Extension Board Member (1996–1999).
Jim enjoyed drinking coffee daily and fixing the problems of the nation with the coffee crew at Cenex and later at The Merc. Throughout his life, he enjoyed spending time with his cousins Bill, Doug, and Steve. Hunting was a part of his life for decades, beginning with shooting jackrabbits then progressing to deer, antelope, and elk. Jim was an avid sports fan and enjoyed sports trivia. He cheered on his favorite baseball and football teams. Professionally, he cheered for the Minnesota Twins and Vikings respectively. He enjoyed watching local baseball at the Flandreau Park and rarely missed a Flier football or basketball game. He served as a member of the chain gang under the Friday night lights for many years. He also enjoyed woodworking. He made gun cabinets from old barn lumber, a podium for his daughter-in-law, wren and bluebird houses, and various other projects. He restored some John Deere toys from his childhood.
Jim went to meet our Savior, Jesus Christ, on February 9, 2025 at Sanford Foundation Cottage in Sioux Falls, SD. His legacy lives on in his children and grandchildren.
Jim is survived by his wife Brenda, his sons Dan (Gretchen) and Jesse (Jenn); three granddaughters, Michaela, Morgan, and Kaylee (Cole Staples); one grandson, Justin (Keeli); one great-grandson, Declan; and three great-granddaughters, Nora Doyle, Sawyer, and Saige Staples.
