James Gregg

James “Jim” Louis Gregg, 78, died peacefully Tuesday, September 30, 2025, at his home in Crookston, MN.

Jim was born on Saturday, August 30, 1947, in Bemidji, MN to Alecia “Lee” Joan (LaVoie) and Herman Oliver Gregg of Virginia, MN. Jim was the oldest of six children, and spent much of his boyhood in the small town of Blackduck, MN. Jim loved to recount stories of biking, fishing, building a boat, swimming, exploring, and clearing brush for the new golf course.

As he transitioned into adulthood, Jim worked as a long-haul trucker for his father. One summer in 1973, he went to a 4th of July party in Minneapolis and met Carol Frances Petrik. The two married that same year on December 22 in Vermillion, SD. Amidst the gas crisis, and to ensure people could attend, Jim’s father hired a bus to bring friends and family from northern Minnesota to the bride’s hometown. The story has become part of family lore. Their anniversary was always a special day; a romantic at heart, Jim arranged for flowers to be delivered to Carol every year.

In 1975, Jim and Carol went into business for themselves as proprietors of The Outdoorsman Cafe in Blackduck. Their son John Jay was born and died in 1978. A year later, their daughter Ann Frances was born. That same year, the couple moved to Crookston, MN when they took ownership of Irishman’s Shanty. A second daughter, Gretchen Marie, was born and died in 1983. Their youngest daughter Elizabeth “Betsy” Ann was born in 1987. Throughout these years, Jim continued his entrepreneurial endeavors. He partnered with his father, brother, and friend to found Gregg Potato Sales, and later worked as accounts manager for KDL Trucking. Any free minute was spent with friends at Minakwa Golf Course, bowling, or shooting pool at IC Muggs. He loved fishing on the Lake of the Woods and Blackduck Lake, or having a good long talk on a drive going anywhere.

Jim had a great sense of humor. He enjoyed a good book or movie, and he loved his Gregg Girls. In his later years, Jim prioritized keeping in touch with friends and family by phone and email. He was always up for a good visit, puzzling over that day’s Wordle, or tackling the bridge and chess challenges. His warm voice and quick smile will always be remembered. Jim’s friendships began in childhood and lasted his entire life. As Carol recently observed, “Jim never lost a friend,” and it was true. Once you were a friend of Jim’s, you were a friend forever.

Jim is survived by his wife Carol, daughters Ann (Lucas) of St. Paul, MN, and Betsy (Ben) of Melbourne, Australia; his grandchildren Juno, Teddy, Millie, and Vivien; and siblings Jenna Lambert of Brooklyn Park, MN, Mary Carol (Don) Quiram of Ham Lake, MN, Mike Gregg of Crookston, MN, Paul (Cindy) Gregg of Crookston, MN, and Betty Jean (Curtis) Amundson of East Grand Forks, MN.

He is preceded in death by his parents, brother-in-law Terry Lambert, and children John and Gretchen.

Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception — Crookston, MN
- Friday, October 10, 5-8 pm: Visitation (Prayer Service at 7 pm)
- Saturday, October 11, 11 am: Mass of Christian Burial (Visitation preceding)

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Jim’s name to one of the following organizations:
- Pirate Fine Arts Boosters, Crookston, MN (crookstonmusic.org)
- Prairie Public Television, Fargo, ND (prairiepublic.org)
- Way to Grow, Minneapolis, MN (waytogrow.org/give)