James "Jimmy" Vitous

James (“Jimmy”) Vitous passed away peacefully on January 14, 2026, at the Valley View Manor Nursing Home in Lamberton, MN, surrounded by his hospice care nurses, aides and chaplain. He was 84 years old.

Jim was born on August 5, 1941 in St. Paul MN, and was preceded in death by his father and mother (Henry and Delores Vitous), sister Shirley Hanrahan, and brothers-in-law Wayne “Bud” Hanrahan and Mike LeHew. He is survived by his sister Janet LeHew, brother Michael Vitous, two nieces and two nephews, great nieces, great nephews, cousins and many friends in Lamberton MN as well as in New Ulm, MN

Despite his autism and mental disabilities, Jim was able to work for many years, first at Goodwill Industries, and later at Holm Industries in New Ulm. He worked part-time at Holm Industries until well into his seventies.

Jim loved reading (especially science-fiction), playing board games and bingo, watching movies and listening to music, going shopping and out to eat, and going on field trips with the other residents of his group home that was in New Ulm, MN. He lived in his group home for 25 years before needing to be transferred to a nursing facility due to the level of care required after a broken hip and ankle left him wheelchair-bound. He spent his last four years at Valley View Manor where he became a favorite of the staff and a friend to many of the other residents.

Jim will be remembered as a kind, gentle, inquisitive, fun-loving, food-loving man who had a childlike fascination with all things “outer space” and a passion for unexplained phenomena.

Visitation at Kessler & Maguire Funeral Home on Wednesday, January 28th from 11 am to 1 pm followed by a light lunch and interment at Resurrection Cemetery.