James Kjellberg 09/25/2020

James (Jim) Kjellberg, age 85, of New Richmond, passed away Friday, September 25, 2020, peacefully with his family by his side.  Jim was born January 11, 1935 to Oliver and Mabel (Rice) Kjellberg in Kittson County, MN.  He spent his childhood in and around Kittson County.  As a young man he worked on the Keeney Farm and then moved to California for a short time.  Eventually, he moved back to the Midwest and began working for the Soo-Line Railroad painting bridges.  He was assigned to paint the High Bridge near Somerset.  It was then that he met the love of his life, Janice Mante.  They married in February 1960 and began their life together.  He was a jack of all trades, worked at the local Doboy Mill, Blue Ribbon Feeds and eventually landed at Chandler’s building window display cases for Andersen Windows.  He retired from there which lasted a short time because as he liked to keep busy, he decided to come out of retirement.  He then went back to work and continued to work well into his 70’s as he liked his job.  Jim loved to farm and raised beef and hogs for much of his life.  He did try to milk cows for a short period of time, they were just not his thing.  He also liked to tinker with his tractors and other farming equipment.  Eventually he made the front third of the barn into a woodworking shop where he spent many hours happily designing and building wooden projects.  His passion was his family, especially his grandchildren.  He became the personal Uber driver for many of them before Uber was a thing.  He attended every concert at school or church that involved his grands, tried to make every ball game, play, competition and any other event that his grandchildren were involved in.  Jim will remain in the hearts of his wife, Janice; children, Karmen (Todd) Rushton of Somerset, Kelvin (Pam) of Deer Park, Karen (John) Harrington of New Richmond, Ken (Carrie) of New Richmond; honorary daughter, Ronda Bierbrauer; nephew, Eric (Jeannie) Kjellberg; sister, Olive Schroeder; brother Dwight Kjellberg along with his loving grandchildren and great-grandchild and many nieces and nephews.  Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Oliver Kjellberg and Mabel Byklum; brothers, Gerald Kjellberg, Jack Kjellberg, and sisters Patricia Kjellberg and Janice Iverson.  A celebration of life service was held on Wednesday, September 30, 2020 at 1:00 pm at Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services (728 S Knowles Ave.) in New Richmond.  Visitation was from 11:30-1:00 pm.  Interment was in Hillside Cemetery in Somerset.  A special thanks to all the wonderful Lakeview Hospice staff and the St. Croix Health Center staff for providing comfort care during his final days.  Arrangements are with Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services.