Jim enlisted in the Army and served 3 years during WWII in Europe and the Pacific. Returning after the war to Bemidji. he met and married the love of his life, Verna and moved to Minneapolis. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering degree at the University of Minnesota. He spent his career at Koppers in St. Paul and later in Toledo, Ohio.
Jim and Verna raised four daughters in Spring Lake Park and Fridley. He was a devoted husband and father, involved in his children’s activities. Trips to Bemidji and Sand Lake to visit grandparents and extended vacations across the country were an important part of family life.
Jim was president of Lions Club in Fridley and member of the Masons for 60 plus years. He was an active member of St. Philip’s Lutheran Church in Fridley and Hope Lutheran Church in Moose Lake.
He retired at the age of 60 and spent his retirement in Jim and Verna’s lake home on Sand Lake in Moose Lake, MN, and snow-birding in Panama City Beach, Florida. He enjoyed traveling, cruises, dancing, card club, fishing, snowmobiling, building and flying model airplanes. He was on golf and bowling leagues until age 87.
Verna passed away to cancer in 1990. He met and married Irene in 1991.
He is so loved and will be greatly missed by his daughters, Nancy (Gary) Beeley, Barbara (Gary) Janas, Sharon (Craig) Faber, Sandra (John) Buchman, 8 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by wife of 41 years, Verna, parents, Bert and Hulda, and grandson, Kevin Buchman.
Funeral service 11AM Saturday, October 19, with visitation 1-hour prior at Gearhart Funeral Home, Coon Rapids. Light lunch following. Internment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Monday, October 21, 12:30PM.
