James Sigurd Ness

James Sigurd Ness was born to Sigurd O. Ness and Mable Larson Ness on May 23, 1936. James had an older half-brother, Herbert Dean Sherrill Ness, who was born in 1922 to Mable and her first husband, Hurbert Dean Sherrill. In the 1940 U.S. Federal Census they were living at 239 South 55 Street, and were shown in the census as follows: S.O. Ness, 34, Mabel, 35, Herbert Sherrill, 17, and James, 3 years old. They owned their home which was valued at $3,000. S.O. Ness had an 8th grade education, and Mabel and Herbert had 3 years of high school. S.O. Ness was born in North Dakota, the son of Anton B. and Anna G. Ness, both born in Norway, and the other family members were all born in Washington. Sigurd's parents had come to America from Norway in 1904 and 1905. Sigurd was working as a barber in partnership with other barbers, and Herbert was working as a newsboy for a newspaper. For the 13 weeks Herbert worked in 1939 at 10 hours per week, his income was $144. Sigurd did not disclose his income in the 1940 census record.

Previously in the 1930 census, Sigurd O. Ness was listed in the census with his parents and siblings, as follows: Anton B., 47, Anna G., 48, Sigurd, 23, Myrtle O., 21, Esther B., 17, Aspen A., 17, Lelan C., 15, and Walter H., 8 years old. Anton and Anna had been married for 27 years. They also had a daughter, Ola, born in 1902, but she was already living on her own by 1930. Anton was working as a fisherman by boat on salt water, he owned his own home located at 2406 S. 54th Street in Tacoma, which was valued at $3,000 and they also had a radio in their home. Also living in their home was Louis Pederson, 53, a "lodger" from Norway who had arrived in America in 1909, and was working as a laborer for the railroad.

Previously in the 1930 census, Mable Larson Sherrill (divorced), 25, was living with her 7 year old son, Herbert Sherrill, her parents, Louis, 58, and Ida C. Larson, 55, and her 16-year old sister Irene Larson. Louis was born in Norway, Ida in Michigan, Mable, Irene and Herbert in Washington. Louis had come to America from Norway in 1891. He was working as an oysterer, and Mable was working as a sales lady in a department store. Louis and Ida had been married for 33 years. They owned their own home located at 5020 South 25th Street, which was valued at $3,500.

James Sigard Ness loved boating and fishing on Puget Sound in Washington State. He was a commodore and a member of the Firscest Yacht Club. He was also a member of the Allenmore Elks Club in Tacoma, Washington. James spent a lot of time at the Ness family property on Hood Canal in Belfair, Washington. He was a real sports fan.

In 1954 James was living with his parents at 239 S. 55th Street in Tacoma, Washington, and was working as a clerk for Safeway. He married Donna Kay Watson in January of 1956, and that year Jim and Donna were living at 624-1/2 S. Trafton in Tacoma, and he was working as a checker at the Park' N Shop. His father and mother were still living at 239 S. 55th Street, and his father Sigurd, was working as a barber at 905 Pacific Avenue. In 1960 Jim and Donna were living at 2929 S.19th Street in Tacoma, and he was working as a salesman for Nalley's.

Jim and Donna had four children, Steven James in 1956, Cynthia Lee in 1959, and premature twins Shelly and David in 1965, who died shortly after their birth. Sadly, Donna passed way at the age of just 30 years old on February 20, 1966, in Seattle, King County, Washington, and was buried in the New Tacoma Cemetery, University Place, Pierce County, Washington. Jim lived another 29 years and passed away on February 7, 1995. At the time of his death he was living in University Place, Washington. He was buried beside his wife Donna in the New Tacoma Cemetery.