James "Jim" G. Wandersee

James Gerard Wandersee, age 64, died on February 8^th, at his home after a long battle with COPD.

Mass of Christian Burial, 11:00 a.m., Thursday, February 13 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Mankato. Visitation will be held Wednesday, February 12^th from 4-6 p.m. at Northview-North Mankato Mortuary and will continue one hour prior to the service at church. Private family burial will be in St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery, Good Thunder.

Jim was born on April 17, 1955 to Robert and Mary Jane (Fitzsimmons) Wandersee. He graduated from Loyola High School in 1973. After high school he attended the Mankato Business College. Jim worked in a number of businesses in his lifetime and enjoyed those most that involved working with others. He served as a volunteer firefighter in Mankato for 11 years and very much enjoyed that. After developing early signs of COPD, he was forced to end that volunteer position. His pride and joy in life were his two daughters and their children. He loved his five grandchildren and enjoyed watching them in their various activities, whether it was sports, dance, gymnastics or music concerts.

He loved people and coordinating many different group gatherings. With his most favorite hobby being golf, he always enjoyed playing with his Minneopa Sunday AM group. He enjoyed fishing as well, but eating the fish was better and often was one to suggest or host a fish fry. He put his skills to work a few years ago and created a breakfast club for the boys in Loyola class of ’73.

Jim is survived by his wife of 42 years, Carol (Johnson); two daughters, Sarah Boland (Cameron) from Rochester and Molly Hammen (Christopher) from Neenah, WI; five grandchildren, Tore (15), Jack (13), Ben (8), Mia (5), Charlotte (2); brothers, Wayne (Carolyn) Wandersee, Steve (Barb) Wandersee, Curt (Leah) Wandersee, Miles (Mary Kay) Wandersee; sisters, Judy Jobe, Kay Pikus, Juleen Aydt; brothers-in-law, Don (Jan) Johnson, Roger Funfsinn, Dave (Donna) Johnson,  Jeff (Lorna) Johnson; sisters-in-law, Linda (Doug) Reichert, Mary (Marty) Cassem; uncle, Conley Hiller; and many nieces and nephews.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Bob and Mary Jane Wandersee; his parents-in-law, Stanley and Marian (Drummer) Johnson; one niece, Juliah Wandersee; and one sister-in-law, Jane