Timothy Whalen

Timothy "Tim" Whalen passed away on February 12th at the age of 77 in Duluth with his daughter by his side.

Tim was born to Leonard and Louise (Dodge) Whalen in Duluth on February 6th, 1948. He grew up in West Duluth, attended St. James School and graduated from Duluth Cathedral High School in 1965. Tim worked as a manager at Bridgeman's and at Hotel Duluth before being drafted into the United States Army in 1968. He served two years in the army during the Vietnam war, training as a chemist and serving as a company clerk at Fort Carson near Colorado Springs. Upon return from the Army, Tim attended nursing school at Hibbing Community College and became an RN. He worked the next several decades as a nurse before retirement. As a young nurse, he lead organ transport trips between Duluth and the University of Minnesota hospital system. The majority of his career was spent at St. Luke's Hospital in Duluth, beginning as an operating room nurse and later becoming the Director of Surgery and the hospital Materials Manager. Following his decades at St. Lukes, Tim spent several years as a nurse for the State of Minnesota MSOP in Moose Lake and ended his career at St. Mary's, retiring in 2009.

Tim enjoyed golf, curling, and spending time with those he loved. He was a member of St. James Catholic Church, a member of the American Legion Post 71, and served in the American Legion Honor Guard. He volunteered with the Miracle League organization and spent time as a reading buddy in local elementary schools following retirement.

The most important things to Tim were his relationships with family and friends. Tim married Mary Jean (Ellis) Whalen in 1976 and though they eventually parted ways, his greatest joy in life came when they welcomed their daughter Bridget. There was nothing that made him prouder than being a father and he was the greatest dad. Tim was known for his booming laugh, his captivating story-telling, his quick wit and vast knowledge of nearly every Jeopardy category, but above all - his heart of gold. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Tim is survived by his daughter Bridget (Ryan) Zuk of Duluth, granddaughter Delaney Louise, sister Mary (Ted) Swift of Saginaw, MI, nephew David and nieces Fiona and Jane. He is preceded in death by his parents Leonard and Louise Whalen, brothers Dennis, Bill, and Ray Whalen, and nephew Kevin.

Bridget would like to thank the staff of both Aftenro Home and St. Croix Hospice for their care and compassion, loving her dad as their own, both in his final weeks and throughout the years. A funeral service will be held on Friday, February 21st at 11am at St. James Catholic Church in West Duluth. Following the funeral, a Celebration of Life Open House will take place at Ridgeview Country Club from 12 to 3. Burial will take place at Oneota Cemetery at a later date.