James "Jim" M. Neilson, age 86, born on October 21, 2025 passed away peacefully at The Plaza by Vivie in Anoka on Sunday, March 16, 2025.
He was preceded in death two months prior by his wife of 65 years, Jacqueline Neilson; his parents, Merton and Mayme Neilson; sister, Mary Jean Kreuter; and son, Thomas Michael Neilson.
Jim is survived by three children, Steven (Kathy) Neilson, Debra (Scott) Enebak, and Scott (Michelle) Neilson; seven grandchildren, Tara (Kevin) McDonough, Lindsay (Matthew) Mossinger, Brian (Samantha Heineck) Neilson, Madison (Kai) Robbecke, Meghan Benton, Nolan and Colin Neilson; and six great-grandchildren, Valerie McDonough, Ellis, Theo and Ethan Mossinger, Emma Neilson, and Ida Robbecke.
Jim was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on October 21, 1938. He was adopted from an orphanage at age four by Merton and Mayme Neilson. He grew up in North Minneapolis in a loving home centered on faith and family. Jim attended a pre-seminary school in Missouri for 9th through 11th grade, and met his future wife, Jackie Pennar of Alexandria, Minnesota, on a blind date the summer before his senior year. He then decided to return to Minneapolis for his senior year and graduated from De LaSalle High School in 1956. Jim and Jackie married in September 1959. He graduated from the College of St. Thomas in 1960 and the University of Minnesota Law School in 1963. He chose not to practice law in downtown Minneapolis and instead moved his family to Anoka, Minnesota, to begin his almost 60-year legal career. The law firm of Babcock, Locher, Neilson and Mannella was a fixture in downtown Anoka for decades. He had an incredible work ethic and practiced law into his early 80s, often taking cases for free for those less fortunate or because a case presented a challenging legal issue; if he did not develop Alzheimer's, he probably would still be working.
Jim was a giant in the real estate legal community. Other real estate attorneys routinely called him for advice. He was inducted into the prestigious American College of Real Estate Lawyers. For many decades, he chaired various Minnesota State Bar Association committees, drafted numerous laws addressing real estate issues and lobbied for their passage, helped develop Minnesota's title standards, and was a recipient of the Real Property Law Section's Distinguished Service Award.
Jim was known for his faith, generosity, ethics, and sharp legal mind. He was a dedicated family man and loved traveling the world with Jackie. Jim was a passionately poor golfer (those less stubborn would have certainly given up the game). He loved fishing for walleye on Lake of the Woods, skiing, and entertaining family and friends at dinner parties or on the pontoon on the Rum River. Jim especially treasured watching his children's and grandchildren's athletic endeavors. He was a diehard fan of the Minnesota Vikings, attending most home games for about 50 years, and hopefully will watch over a Super Bowl win in heaven (and catch that 30+ inch walleye). He served on numerous St. Stephen's Catholic Church and School committees, including being a lector for 50+ years and a member of Knights of Columbus for 65 years. He served on numerous civic committees, always acknowledging the need to give back to society.
Mass of Christian Burial is at St. Stephen's Catholic Church, 525 Jackson Street, Anoka, Minnesota, on Saturday, April 5, 2025, at 11:00 am, with visitation at 10:00 am. Internment at Calvary Cemetery in Anoka. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to be sent to St. Stephen's Catholic School, 506 Jackson Street, Anoka, MN 55303, for the scholarship fund in memory of Thomas M. Neilson.
Thurston-Lindberg Funeral Home
Anoka, 763-421-0220
www.thurston-lindberg.com
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