James “Jim” Neil Zuehlke, 64, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 1, 2015, at his rural Mountain Lake, Minnesota home.
He was born on September 16, 1951, the son of Edward and Agnes Zuehlke in Winnebago, Minnesota and was raised in Garden City, Minnesota, where he received his education.
On February 22, 1981, Jim was united in marriage to Lisa Gonzalez in Garden City and they were married for 35 years. They lived in Mankato, Minnesota; Garden City and Windom, Minnesota and raised their two wonderful sons, Joshua and Nicholas before moving to rural Mountain Lake in 2007.
James loved to ride his motorcycle to be free like an eagle and enjoyed fishing, deer hunting and camping with family and friends. He also loved playing slots at the casino, playing with his dog, Maddie and most of all, enjoyed his grandchildren and was hoping to see them grow up.
James worked for JBS-Swift-Worthington for 20 years. In 2008, he worked for Schwartz Farms until September 2013, when he retired and was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. He fought a long and courageous battle with cancer but lost the fight in September 2015 when there was no more chemo medication to give him. He endured all the harsh chemo medications that he hoped would put his cancer in remission, but never did.
Survivors are his wife, Lisa Zuehlke of rural Mountain Lake; three sons, Joshua (Heather) Zuehlke, Okabena, Minnesota, Nicholas (Becky) Zuehlke of Windom and Thomas Zuehlke of Mankato; grandchildren, Timothy, Marisa, Jacob, Dylan, Brockton, Isla, Bobby, Cora Lee and Damian; two great-grandchildren; two brothers, William Zuehlke and John (Donna) Zuehlke, all of Garden City; sister-in-law, Mary Zuehlke of Mankato; nephew, Eric (Karen) Zuehlke of Garden City; two nieces, Bobby Jo (John) Bastian of Mankato and Christina (Rick) Dopp of Delavan, Minnesota and many other relatives.
James was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Agnes; brother, Robert; and aunts, uncles and cousins.
LaCanne Family Funeral Home of Windom (www.lacannefuneralhome.com) is in charge of the cremation arrangements and no memorial service is planned as a Celebration of Life reception for James was held while he was still here to visit with family and friends.
All memorials may be sent to Lisa Zuehlke, PO Box 122, Mountain Lake, MN 56159, as James was fond of two cancer organizations in which he would like to donate money.