The Rev. Father James Himmelsbach

The Rev. James (Father Jim) Himmelsbach

The Rev. James (Father Jim) Himmelsbach, died Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021, of pancreatic cancer.

He was preceded in death by his father, William; his mother, Rosemary; and sister-in-law, Marsha. He is survived by his siblings, William (Gail), Bernard (Julie), Loretta, Alan (Kate); nephew, Mark (Annie); and special friend to the family, Marcy. He was born and baptized in Washington, D.C., in 1948; received his First Eucharist and Confirmation in La Crosse, and was ordained to the priesthood in 1977, for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.

He received a BA in engineering from St. Francis College, Loretto, Pa., and Penn State University (1970); a Master of Divinity from the St. Paul Seminary (1980) and a MA Pastoral Counseling from Emmanuel College, Boston (1991). Additionally, he has post graduated certificates in Applied Theology (2002), and Spiritual Direction (2011). He is also a graduate of the Army's Combined Arms Service Staff School (1988) and Command and General Staff College (1993). He was a PSIA level three certified ski instructor and taught skiing for 11 years.

Father Jim served as an Associate Pastor of the Cathedral of St. Paul (1977-1980); an active-duty Army Chaplain (1980-2001); and pastor of St. Joseph Church, Waconia, Minn., (2002-2006) and Annunciation Church, Minneapolis, (2006-2015). Fr. Jim retired from the Army in 2001, with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and again retired from active pastoral ministry in 2015. In retirement he stayed active in Spiritual Direction and with weekend Mass assignments. He was a quiet supporter of Catholic Schools and the, both locally and internationally.

Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 26, at the Church of the Annunciation, 509 West 54th St., Minneapolis, Minn. Interment Fort Snelling National Cemetery. Visitation one hour prior to Mass. Mass will live streamed at www.facebook.com/annunciationmsp/. Memorials are directed to your local food shelf.

"Go out and let the Christ within you meet the Christ within others."

www.GILLBROTHERS.com, Minneapolis, Minn., 612-861-6088.