James King

JAMES J. KING

James J. King, age 81, of Minnesota City, went to his eternal rest and to be with his loving Savior, on Monday, February 20, 2017.  He passed in the comfort of his home surrounded by his family, after a struggle with Lewy-Body Dementia and macular degeneration.

He was born on June 29, 1935, in Winona, to Chester and Marie (Czapiewski) King.  He graduated from Winona High School, and honorably served his country with the United States Army.  Jim was united in marriage with Donna Hundt on October 7, 1961, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Winona.

Jim was employed for many years with Warney and Swasey (Badger Equipment) until his retirement.  He was also employed with Trac Oil, and he did grave digging by hand for St. Paul’s and Oakland Cemeteries in Minnesota City.

He was very active with the community, and served Minnesota City as a councilman, mayor, and also as the chief of the volunteer fire department.  Jim was very devoted to his Catholic faith, and he and Donna had a special devotion to praying the Rosary.  He was a long-time parishioner at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Minnesota City where he was active and served on the church council.

Jim will be remembered for being proud of his Polish heritage; his love of camping with family and friends; fishing (especially ice fishing) with his secret spot being the “third stump from the left”; and how he would stay up all night to complete a jigsaw puzzle. For many years, Jim played Santa for various clubs, organizations, and companies during the Christmas season.  He also milled and sold wood,  was an avid collector of John Deere toy tractors, and he was a Green Bay Packer fan.

His family was the foundation of his life, and he loved to spend time with Donna - even though his name was King, he always treated her like a queen.  He and Donna looked forward to the summers that their grandchildren Marcus and Emily spent with them – one of their favorite memories is going for rides in the truck with Papa and listening to Boxcar Willie, and going to Lark Toys to see “Gip”.    Donna is forever grateful to her family and Kathy, Mark, Marcus, and Emily for the love, care, and devotion which they returned to Jim, especially during his last days, and for the friendship and visits from Jim’s cousins, Maxine and Carrie.

Jim is lovingly survived by his wife, Donna; daughter: Kathy (Mark) Borck; grandchildren: Marcus and Emily; his extended relatives in the Hundt family; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and an infant son, Steven.

Visitation will be held at the Watkowski-Mulyck Funeral Home on Friday, February 24, 2017, from 4 PM until 7 PM, where the recitation of the Most Holy Rosary will be held at 6:30 PM, followed by the sharing of memories.  Visitation will also be held at the funeral home on Saturday, February 25, 2017, from 9 AM until 10 AM, and then in procession to St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Minnesota City, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11 AM.  The Reverend Adam McMillan will officiate.

Jim will be laid to rest in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Winona, where the American Legion Leon J. Wetzel Post 9 of Winona will provide military honors.

Pallbearers will be Marcus Borck, Mark Borck, Michael Hundt, Todd Hundt, Tom Hundt, Scott Brandes, Richard Franzen Jr., and Tim Flanagan.

Online condolences or memories may be left for Jim’s family at www.watkowski-mulyck.com.