James Donald Pastika

1933 - 2026

James (Jim) Pastika, age 92, of Virginia, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on Monday, February 2, 2026, at Edgewood in Virginia. Jim was born May 14, 1933 in Cloquet, Minnesota to parents Joseph and Margaret (Lantz) Pastika as the youngest of their five children. Jim is preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Roland Pastika, Edwin Pastika, and Joseph Pastika, and sister, Margaret (Peggy) Carlson.

Jim was very physically active as a young man, playing many sports in high school: football, basketball, tennis, track, and baseball. His Cloquet High School graduation in '51 as the class Salutatorian was followed by a UMD degree in math and geography and subsequent 6-year enlistment with the Army National Guard where he was stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, MO, and Fort Sill, OK.

Jim met Claire while working for the City of Cloquet's engineering office which led to their marriage in September of 1963. Jim and Claire moved to Ely in the mid-70's prompted by a role to support a new wastewater treatment project. Soon after, they purchased a bookstore and Jim continued to provide engineering consulting as well. Having built a number of years of experience with wastewater treatment, he also travelled to teach at various vocational schools in Minnesota. In the mid-80s, a furniture/carpet store was purchased, which is what most remember as "Pastika's." During these years, Jim and Claire also built a loving home and raised their three daughters, Mary, Heather, and Bonny. Jim took great pride in watching his daughters grow into strong, independent women. Family remained at the center of Jim's life, and he treasured the time spent together through every stage.

Jim maintained a lifelong love of learning and intellectual curiosity. He was an avid reader of books and newspapers and rarely missed completing the daily crossword puzzle. Jim also enjoyed card games like Bridge, solitaire, Crazy 8's, and cribbage, and exercised creativity with Easter egg-hunting clues for his kids and his grandkids. Jim valued community and fellowship. He participated in Boy Scouts, Lions Club, and the Presbyterian Church. He also treasured time spent golfing with friends, deer hunting with the group of friends with whom he co-owned a hunting shack, and fishing with his daughters.

Jim is survived by his wife of 62 years, Claire, and three daughters, Mary Pastika (Paul Hartman), Heather Marsh (Daniel Pearson), and Bonny Andersen (Robert), grandchildren, Jenna and Judson Hartman, and Genevieve Marsh, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Jim will be remembered as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. His steady presence, sharp mind, quick wit, and deep love for his family will be dearly missed.

Funeral Service will be at 11 AM (visitation one hour prior) at the Ely Presbyterian Church with light luncheon to follow on Saturday, February 21, 2026.