James A. Nystrom

1939 - 2022

James "Jim" Alfred Nystrom died at age 83 in his home in Elk River, MN on Monday, October 17, 2022.

Jim was preceded in death by his father, Harry Nystrom; mother, Olga (Eckman) Nystrom; son, Jon and sister, Pauline (Nystrom) Erickson.

He is survived by his wife, Gail; his two sons, Eric and Mark (Stephanie Scafa); his grandson, Sam Nystrom Costales and his step-granddaughter, Kelsey Nava Costales.

Jim was born and spent the vast majority of his life in Elk River. After graduating from Elk River High School in 1957, he first attended Hamline University in St. Paul, MN. After two years, he transferred to the University of Minnesota where he completed his degree in Civil Engineering. It was during his final years of school that he met Gail at a friend's house in Elk River. They dated while Gail was teaching in Robbinsdale and he was completing his degree. They married in Cloquet, MN after his graduation in 1962.

The following years were challenging, with Jim's father passing away soon after the marriage and a devastating tornado that destroyed the family farm in Becker, killing Jim's aunt. Then Jim and Gail's oldest son, Jon, contracted leukemia and passed away shortly before his sixth birthday. Jim addressed his grief by engaging in the community and designing and building the home that he lived in for the rest of his life.

Jim's community work included volunteering at numerous organizations: He spent 32 years serving as a Elk River fireman, 25 years as a fair board member, helped establish the Sherburne County Parks and Trails Commission, served on many committees at the Elk River United Methodist Church, and the Friends of Sherburne Wildlife Refuge.

Professionally, Jim was an award-winning civil engineer for the locally-owned Cretex. His work was recognized nationally where he contributed to modernizing the field and writing new performance standards.

Jim also volunteered as a parent of foreign exchange students. Henrik Hultman stayed with the family from Sweden and Jacques Scarpelli Cabral from Brazil. Jim and Gail stayed in close connection to their Swedish and Brazilian "sons" and visited them both in their home countries.

Jim and Gail made a habit of traveling extensively across the world. First, road trips with the boys, and then later, globetrotting to local and far flung destinations including visiting Mark regularly while he lived in California, Thailand, India, and Oregon. On their 25th anniversary, they celebrated by traveling to England and Scotland. Jim was fascinated by other cultures and would spend hours reading backgrounds of customs and traditions, exploring museums, and talking to locals to learn more about their lived experiences.

Curiosity and intellectual exploration were Jim's defining characteristics. He was comfortable talking to folks from all walks of life and constantly strove to learn more about the world around him. His commitment to making Elk River a better place to live will benefit those community members for generations to come.

Funeral held at his lifelong church, the Elk River United Methodist Church, at 1 p.m. on Saturday, October 22nd. Light lunch served.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers or gifts we ask that you donate in Jim's name to the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) or the Friends of the Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge.

Arr. Dare's Funeral Home, 763-441-1212, http://www.daresfuneralservice.com.