James Willis Falkner

James "Jim" W. Falkner was born May 17, 1939 in Durand, WI to Clara (Berger) and Henry Falkner. Jim grew up on the farm, attended school at Holy Rosary Sacred Heart School in Lima, WI and graduated in 1957.
He was in the U.S. Army from 1957-1959 and 1961-1963, stationed in several forts in Georgia, Colorado, and Texas. He returned to Minneapolis area to work for Cargill and met his wife Barbara "Barb" Jean Miller. They were married at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Robbinsdale, MN in January 1968.
Jim and Barb danced the polka that night and in years to come, but mostly Jim worked and raised their three sons James "Jimmy," Jeffrey "Jeff," and Matthew "Matt" Falkner in Fridley, MN. Always keen to get out of town when not working or going to the kids' ballgames, when free he spent summers at their family cabin in Birchwood, WI mowing grass and fishing for bluegills.
Above all things in his life, Jim enjoyed spending time with Barb, no matter what they were doing. In addition, he was a great family man as a son and brother, and liked visiting their farms, hunting and fishing with family, and fixing anything and everything with and for them.
He worked at Cargill for his entire career, for decades at the Columbia Heights Linseed Oil Plant, then ended his time managing facilities at the international headquarters in Wayzata, MN. When he retired he already had been part of the Cargill 25 Year Club for a dozen years, and enjoyed returning for the annual banquet for twenty more. Early in retirement Jim volunteered with Handiworks doing one of the things he did best (though always with loud complaints!), helping with home repairs for the elderly.
In 2003/4 he and Barb built their retirement home on Little Birch Lake, WI. There they spent their last years together and welcomed their first grandchild, Audrey. After Barb's death in 2005 Jim remained in Birchwood, volunteering in the schools helping the youngest kids learn to read, also staying active at St. John's Catholic Church, where he would shovel snow before services.
Many will remember Jim for varied funny and special qualities, or may have missed them in the first passing. For instance, Jim was very proud of his Austrian heritage, visiting his father's "home place" of Ehrenhöbarten, Austria twice in his later years. In addition to polka ("oom-pah"), he also loved classical ("long hair") music, and instilled that love of music in his kids. Though he never considered college, he had a genuine love of learning and cultivation of growth, putting most of his non-work time and effort into his kids, reading (massive) books on presidential history, planting and caring for his trees, trying and getting pretty good at cross country skiing...and mowing a lot of grass.
He is survived by sons; James, Jeff (Julie), Matt (Peng); grandchildren, Audrey, Anthony; sister, Rita Wick; and many nieces and nephews of his beloved family in MN, WI, and Austria.
Finally, Jim was a dedicated catholic of the old school, attending mass over nine decades. Though not one to say it aloud, in his time Jim loved many and with all his heart. He passed away peacefully at Presbyterian Homes Memory Care in Bloomington, MN. In lieu of flowers family asks memorials to be sent to Catholic Charities.
Funeral Service will be on Monday Oct. 17th at 2PM with visitation one hour prior at the Washburn-McReavy Hillside Chapel. Washburn-McReavy.com