By Watertown Current - April 3, 2025 in 
Jim Berven, 85, Watertown
Jim Berven, 85 of Watertown, SD passed away at his home on April 2, 2025.
Funeral service will be held at 1:30pm Friday April 11, 2025 at Hosanna Lutheran Church in Watertown.
Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00pm Thursday April 10, 2025 at Hosanna Lutheran Church.
Interment will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Watertown.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial to tre’ Ministries (www.treministries.org), founded by Sandy, Jim’s daughter-in-law or the Children’s Home Foundation (chssd.org)
James Leonard Berven was born in Mitchell, SD on May 27, 1939, to Roy Leonard Berven and Alma Ellen (Ordal) Berven. Jim joined his older brother, John Albert, to complete the family. He was baptized and confirmed at First Lutheran Church in Mitchell, SD, where he also graduated from high school. Jim’s B.S. degree in Business Administration came from Augustana College, in 1961. He attended Officers Candidate School at Quantico, VA and was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant. After completing disbursing school at Camp Lejeune, he was stationed at MCRD in San Diego. Jim married Ardys Johnson in September of 1964, and they lived in El Cajon, CA. He served on active duty until May 1965, attaining the rank of Captain, but of course, once a Marine, always a Marine! They moved to Watertown, SD where he worked at Midland National Life Insurance Co. until he joined his brother John in the insurance and real estate business, known as Berven Company, developing various properties and housing. He achieved the designations of CRS and CRB as a real estate professional.
In 1983, Jim and his partner, Bill Folkerts, formed Venerts Investments. A real estate development and property management company, building single and multi-family residential housing. This expanded into a diverse commercial development enterprise, building and managing apartment complexes, office buildings, and hotels in SD, MN, IA, NE, and LA.
Jim loved to serve community, state, and professional organizations. He was active in Jaycees, Chamber of Commerce, Grace Lutheran Church, Watertown Planning Commission, and the SD Visitor Industry Alliance among others. He served on the St. Ann’s Hospital advisory board and was a board member of Memorial Hospital during the merger. As a Real Estate professional, he was selected Realtor of the Year for the SD Association of Realtors in 1981. He was a director of the SD Association of Realtors for 12 years and served 6 years as a national director of the National Association of Realtors. His appointment to the SD Real Estate Commission lasted 17 years, and he was elected to the executive committee of ARELLO, an international Association of Real Estate License Law Officials.
Throughout his life, Jim loved to hunt and enjoyed teaching his grandkids to target shoot! He looked forward to a yearly fishing trip to Canada with his friend Bernie Hanson where they included their sons, grandsons and other family members. Up into his 40’s, Jim frequented the racquetball court where competition energized him. In 2013, he abruptly retired due to health issues, but enjoyed tractor time on the farm helping his son-in-law, Ron. He chaired the Hosanna Lutheran Church building committee, using his expertise to help bring a dream into reality!
Through the years, Jim, his wife, and family enjoyed many trips together, often pairing business with pleasure. Jim and Ardys traveled to many states, including Hawaii and Alaska, and various countries such as France, England, Hong Kong, Norway, Sweden, and Denmark.
Jim was a very optimistic and generous man, and his strong faith was deeply rooted in God’s love and promise of salvation for those who believe. In later years, he sought to glorify his Savior and point people to Jesus by making wooden crosses for family, fellow church members, special people close to his heart, and nurses and doctors who served him in the clinic or hospital. He enjoyed cooking, but his favorite place was behind the BBQ, grilling, sampling, and sharing the savory meat. Jim loved visiting with people and making new friends! He enjoyed weekly coffee at church and a men’s Bible study group. He was fond of the people at cardiac rehab and was entertained daily by feeding the animals and birds on the deck. Jim delighted in his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and everyone who knew him, recognized his laugh!
Jim is survived by his wife Ardys, his children, Renee Olson Stevenson (Chad), and Doug Berven (Sandy). Seven grandchildren; Lauren Vander Veen (Reid), Olivia Tracy (Josh), Regan Stanley (Wes), Levi Olson, Kylen Olson, Chase Berven, and Brynn Berven. Eight great-grandchildren; Finley, Ezra, Willa, and Marren Tracy, and Ronan, Auden, Revel, and Soren Vander Veen.
Jim is now reunited in heaven with his parents, brother John, son-in-law Ron, and many other relatives and friends.
