"I guess I'm really behind on news. I just heard today that Jim passed away 4 wks ago today. Jim was so nice and will be dearly missed. I first got to know Jim as a colleague at Ticona. Then later when my son and his grandson played little league together, I saw Jim and Louise at all the ballgames. I'll also miss Jim's yummy fresh garden veggies at the Rollingstone Mini Mart. I wouldn't be surprised if he was put in charge of a garden in heaven. Sincere sympathy to Louise and family. Rhonda Puetz"
In loving memory of
James Edward Kalmes
November 30, 1941 - May 31, 2011
James "Jim" Edward Kalmes, 69, of Rollingstone died on Monday, May 31, 2011, at his home after a courageous battle with cancer.
Jim was born on November 30, 1941, in Winona, Minn. to Edward B. and Helen (Gengler) Kalmes. He was a 1959 graduate of Holy Trinity High School in Rollingstone. Jim grew up on the farm where he worked along with his father until his death in 1959. On May 4, 1963, Jim married Louise Walch at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Altura, Minn. Jim and Louise purchased the farm and raised their three children there. He also worked at ASCO Inc. in Winona, Walch Farm Service in Altura, Bud Meyer Trucking in Lake City, Yoder Feeds in Viola and CD Trucking in Winona. Jim and Louise also owned and operated the Fireside Inn in Rollingstone and were currently selling fresh produce at the Winona Farmers Market. Jim was a member of the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Rollingstone where he was a member of the St. Nicholas Society and was a Eucharistic Minister. He served as Treasurer of the Norton Township Board and was currently the Township Supervisor. Jim was a member of Ducks Unlimited. He enjoyed the outdoors, deer hunting and attending his grandchildren's little league baseball games. He was an avid Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Vikings fan. His grandchildren were his pride and joy.
Jim is survived by his wife, Louise; three children: Denise (Chris) Mosher of Rocky Ford, Colorado, Dean (Chere) Kalmes of Ballwin, Missouri, and Mike Kalmes of Goodview, Minn.; seven grandchildren: Brandon and Joshua Mosher, Sydney and Alex Kalmes, and Shawn, Scott and Grant Kalmes; four sisters: Joan (Leigh) Hartert of Wabasha, Minn. Jean (Mike) Kertzman of Winona, Minn., Jane Roth of Gold Canyon, Arizona, and Janet (John) Ries of Sisters, Oregon.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
There will be a Funeral Mass for Jim at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, June 3, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Rollingstone with the Rev. James Steffes officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 2, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church where there will be a 7:00 p.m. Prayer Service.
Honorary Casket Bearers will be: Tom Hengel, Steve Kalmes, Tom Schmit, Scott Dieterman, Ralph Herber, Eugene Kalmes, Dave Walch, John Ries, Leigh Hartert, Mike Kertzman, and Jim Hoffman.
In lieu of flowers, Jim's family prefers memorials to be directed to the Winona Health Hospice, 855 Mankato Ave., Winona, MN 55987
Leave a memory of Jim and sign his online guestbook at www.hofffuneral.com
Tribute video can be found at: http://videos.lifetributes.com/223320
Tributes
"Louise and Family, We are so sorry to hear about Jim and hope your family, friends, and memories will help you with this great loss. I'm grateful to have known Jim and to have great memories of him at our old family get-togethers. He always brought a lot of life, smiles, and humor to those occasions. I haven't seen Jim for quite a while but it's good to see from these Tributes how much joy he brought into the life of others. Please know our thoughts and prayers are with you. Phil and Wendy Welti (Son of Rose Gengler Welti - sister of Helen Kalmes) "
"Louise, I am deeply saddened to hear of Jim's passing. You are in my prayers and if there is anything I may do during this time, please lean on me. May you be surrounded by family to show their love to you. I know your life has now changed but Jim would want you to continue to find happiness, joy and love in this world. He will always be with you. Much love to you, Melissa Nissalke"
"Our dear Jim is full of peace now. Louise, know of my prayers and love for you and the family. Live, Jesus, in our hearts, FOREVER!"
"Louise please accept my sympathy. I worked with Jim at ASCO in the early'70's. He was such a pleasant person, always with a smile on his face. His passing certainly leaves a void in your family, but cling tight to all the good memories! Lovingly, Lois"
"Louise & Family We are so sorry for the loss of your husband Jim. Our prayers are with you in this time of sorrow. God Bless You & Your Family! Kim & Darcy O'Laughlin"
"Louise and family. I am sorry to here of Jims passing. he was a great man and a good friend. I will always cherish the memories of baseball games and spending time on the farm during deer hunting season although I never hunted you all excepted me as an honorary hunter with all the great meals a few beers and some great stories. he will be greatly missed. and may you all except my deepest condolences."
"Louise and family. I am sorry to hear of your loss. I never knew Jim very well and only met him a handful of times. Louise talked highly of him and I know he will be greatly missed. Thinking of all you!"
"Jim was a funny man who had a great sense of humor. He also worked harder than men half his age. It was my pleasure to work along with Jim while he was at CD Corp. I worked at Miller Scrap and Jim hauled trailers I loaded down to the landfill. It was normal for that man to work 12-15 hour days, go home, sleep, and get up at 2:30am and do it all again. I think it was his work ethic that also made him such a good friend. Although I have not seen him in a number of years, I think I could always count him as a friend. That is what I will miss the most with Jim's passing, his friendship. I now regret not calling to say hello, or stopping by the farm when I came back down to Winona, but be that as it may, I hope Jim will forgive me. I will miss you my friend and I will think of you. I am deeply sorry for the loss of the Kalmes family."
"Well. Summer memories here. Family visitor from Calif. incredible minnesota hospitality. reunions at white water. J, a cool, cool, civic minded individual! Great hay fights in a great barn. Beautiful farm! beautiful man! Our hugest sympathies from California Cousins! AJ Tarman (Gengler side-leone's son- Helen, my mom's sister) family."
"Louise, I wanted to come to the wake or funeral. I recently had rotator cuff surgery, and I don't feel up to it. I am so sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you, and your families, at this time. Irene"
"Louise: My condolences to you, your children, and Jim's other family members. I was saddened to hear of Jim's recent struggle with cancer. I will have many good and fun memories of our school days; Jim was a great person to be around and he was admired by so many; it truly is a loss at such a young age. There will never be another like Jim! God bless you and yours."
"Kalmes Family, I am sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you in this time of sorrow."
"Dear Louise and Family, Am so, so sorry to hear about Jim. I have such great memories of visiting the 5 J's on the farm in Rollingstone. Jim was the coolest cousin and just so nice. I wish I could have met you, Louise , too. I'm at a loss for words, but know you'll be in our prayers. God bless you and yours. Love, Barbara and Hank (My Mom, Leone, was Helen's sister)"
"Louise and Family: I was saddened to read about Jim's passing - please accept my sympathy. I worked with Jim at Ticona Celstran and wanted you to know how kind and considerate he was to me in my HR role there. He always had a kind word to share with me - even during difficult times. May you find peace and strength in the many memories you hold dear. "
"Louise, sorry to hear about Jim's passing. I'm sorry I won't be able to be there for the service. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers durring this difficult time. "