James Kotzer Obituary
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Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 7, 2025 and from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service on Friday all at the Daniel Funeral Home, St. Cloud.
Jim was born on October 26, 1948, to Michael and Mary (Roske) Kotzer in St. Anna, Minnesota. He grew up in the St. Anna area and graduated from St. Cloud Technical High School in 1967. Jim was united in marriage to Susan E. Braegelmann on April 26, 1969,at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Cold Spring. Shortly after, he was drafted into the United States Army and honorably served his country from 1969 until 1971 during the Vietnam War. While deployed to Vietnam, Jim served in Field Artillery for the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment the "Blackhorse Regiment". Upon his return home in 1971 he began working for Susan's brother, building homes for Joe's Custom Building. After ten years of service Jim decided to return to school and attended the St. Cloud Technical and Community College to become a plumber. He worked in the plumbing trade until his retirement in the early 2000s. He was a member of the St. Cloud V.F.W. #428, and the U.A. Plumbers Local #15.
Jim was a loving husband, father and grandfather who enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed going hunting, fishing, trap shooting, camping and four wheeling. When he wasn't in the outdoors, Jim could be found playing cards, especially cribbage. He will be remembered for his love of visiting with people, his dry sense of humor and for the many stories that he had.
He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Susan; children, Jim (fiancé, Shannon Paggen) and Tammy (Brian) Mruz; grandchildren, Alexis, Anna, Hailey, and Rylie; siblings, John (Linda) and Susie Hill; and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Jim is preceded in death by his parents and 12 siblings.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
2 Entries
Chaplain Bill Karabinos
August 8, 2025
Susan, Jim and Tammy, please accept the condolences of the Troopers of the 11th Armored Cavalry's veterans of Vietnam and Cambodia. Your husband and father was a dedicated and hard-charging warrior, one of us, one of our own. He served courageously with the Legendary Blackhorse Regiment with the 2nd Howitzer Battery. Jim will be remembered as an honorable trooper whose very presence brought comfort and support to his fellow troopers. He will be included on the Honor Role of our combat veterans as his service highlighted his bravery and valor and was guided with the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. As grateful Americans we should all pause and salute a man who was willing to put his life on the line for his country. As our burial liturgy states: " ... his life has not ended, merely changed ..." and as we were together then in Vietnam, we will be together again in the life hereafter, warmly embraced in the arms of our Heavenly Father.
Chaplain Bill, 11th ACVVC (Vietnam 71-72)
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Jeff Robak
August 4, 2025
Jim was a very nice man. Enjoyed talking with him many times. When I went for my walks i always waved to him and he always waved back from the window. I will miss him. Jeff neighbor
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1010 2nd St. N., Saint Cloud, MN 56303
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