James L. Vonderohe

FARIBAULT, Minn./ARVADA, Colo. - James L. Vonderohe, 70, of Faribault and formerly of Arvada, died Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2018, at the Pleasant Manor Nursing Home in Faribault following an extended illness.

Jim was born in O'Neill, Neb. to Gerhardt and Leona Vonderohe July 1, 1947. After five years on a ranch near Atkinson, the family moved to Norfolk, Neb. and then to Minnesota in 1959. He graduated from Houston High School (Minn.) in 1965 and then from Winona State University in 1969. He then attended law school at the University of Wyoming before joining the Arvada Police Department in 1973. Jim married Glenda Hale on Oct. 3, 1987. They were later divorced. He was a dedicated detective in Arvada for 25 years and absolutely loved his job until retiring from the force in 2001 due to poor health. He continued working as a polygraph examiner in Colorado until 2016 and then relocated to Faribault Senior Living in Minnesota.

Jim's avocations were pistol shooting and hunting elk/moose. He won or placed in many pistol tournaments and won multiple state championships in Colorado and Nebraska. He was a true "straight shooter." His hunting trips in the mountains were his passion and he loved the camaraderie experienced by his hunting party. He also enjoyed the trips back to Minnesota to visit friends and relatives along the way, while being accompanied by the music of Johnny Cash and Elvis.

Jim fiercely fought his cancer (multiple myeloma) and its many complications for over 20 years but has now moved on to happier hunting grounds.

Jim is survived by brother, Bruce (Betty) Vonderohe of Apple Valley, Minn.; half-sister, Jo Ann(Ed) Ravizza Emmett, Idaho; many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, extended family and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents; and a sister, Rita Ohe of Fort Collins, Colo.

A celebration of life will be planned for this summer.