James "Jimmy" Kellogg

James "Jimmy" Keith Kellogg, 88, of Walker, Minn., passed away peacefully at home Thursday, July 11, 2024.

He was born on June 9, 1936, in Austin, to Olga and Kenneth Kellogg. Jimmy led a vibrant and impactful life centered around his family.

After graduating from Austin High School, Jimmy made his start in the restaurant industry by starting The Oak Grill with his brother Jerry, renovating a garage into a sit-down diner that became a popular spot for students and teachers. In the early 1960's, Jimmy served in the Army National Guard at Fort Ord, Calif., as an officer's cook where he learned how to make Jimmy's famous pancakes. After his service, he returned to Austin, opening another restaurant, The Oak Leaf, and later The Old Mill, a favorite of Hormel for hosting company events.

In 1971, Jimmy purchased a cabin on Ten Mile Lake and in 1978 relocated his family to the Leech Lake area where he opened Jimmy's Deli in Hackensack. In 1987, he built and operated Jimmy's Family Restaurant in Walker with his sons Dave and Jeff - still serving the Walker community today. In December of 1988, he opened the AmericInn of Walker.

Jimmy married Karen Jacob on Sept. 14, 1958. They shared a beautiful marriage of 66 years and had four children, Joanne, Jeff, Dave and Dan - filled with laughter and countless stories.

Jimmy's passions included fishing, cooking, golfing and traveling. He enjoyed checking his Hormel stock position, playing cribbage, and listening to his wife, Karen play the piano. Most of all, he enjoyed entertaining friends and hosting large family gatherings alongside his wife with his children and grandchildren. Jimmy and Karen wintered in Palm Springs for over 40 years.

Through the years, Jimmy was deeply involved in the Austin and Hackensack-Walker communities as a business owner and volunteer. At Grace Lutheran in Austin, he taught confirmation, spearheaded fundraising efforts to build Hope Lutheran Church in Walker and sat on the golf board at Tianna Country Club. Jimmy was known to go out of his way to help others, he would often deliver meals to customers facing health issues over the years.

Jimmy was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth and Olga; brother, Dick (Mary); sister, Ruthanne Sharp; and daughter, Joanne Piazza.

Jimmy is survived by his wife, Karen; children, Jeff (Kristi), Dave (Jami), and Dan (Beth); grandchildren, Chris (Bobby) Kelly, Janelle (Ryan) Rearick, Betsy (Jeff) Woodford, Michael Kellogg, Chelsie (Ray) Nugent, Katie (Alex) Piazza, Brooke (Walker) Smith, Haley (Jason) Kellogg, Grant Kellogg, James (Mariana) Kellogg, Cohen Kellogg; great-grandchildren, Gus Patric, Lincoln and Lyla Woodford, Jack and Leo Rearick, Graham, Olive and Porter Smith, Blue and Sunday Nugent, and Catherine Kelly-Vance.

Jimmy is remembered as a great father, husband, grandfather, and friend.

A celebration of Jimmy's Life will be held July 18  at 4 p.m., with a visitation held one hour prior all held at Hope Lutheran Church in Walker.

In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made to Hope Lutheran Church Food Boxes, St. Jude's, Shriners Children's Hospital, or The Wounded Warriors Project.

Online condolences for the family may be left at www.northernpeace.com

Jimmy's care has been entrusted to the Northern Peace Funeral Home of Walker, Minn.