A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, January 5th at Christ Lutheran Church in Cottonwood.

Visitation hours with the family will be from 5-7 p.m. Monday at the church with a prayer service at 6:30 p.m. and will continue one hour prior to the service on Tuesday.  Interment is in the Christ Lutheran Cemetery.  The Redwood Valley Funeral Home – Kulow Funeral Service is handling the arrangements.

James was born on May 25, 1927 to Marvin & Signe (Pederson) on a farm near Cottonwood.   He was baptized at Yellow Medicine Lutheran Church in Hanley Falls on June 26, 1927 & confirmed at Silo Lutheran Church in Cottonwood on June 22, 1941.          In 1953 he and Darleen Prairie were married at Silo Lutheran church in Cottonwood.   James served with the U.S. Army in Germany for 2 years.  Upon his return home he worked at Erickson’s Furniture Store in Cottonwood.  He was a rural mail carrier from 1959-1989.  After his retirement in 1989, he bought a cabin near Park Rapids where he spent time canoeing & enjoying nature. James was a scout master for many years.  During that time 27 boys earned their Eagle Scout Award.  In 1969 he received the Silver Beaver award, the highest award a scoutmaster can receive.  James served as trustee and taught Sunday School for many years at Christ Lutheran Church.  He was a fireman, a member of Project Turnabout Board of Directors, Cottonwood Co-op Oil Company board of directors, belonged to Lions Club, Legion Post #503, Pheasants Forever, and Ducks Unlimited.  James was active in other community activities including the Firearms Safety program, Snowmobile Safety program, as a school bus driver, and scorekeeper for athletic events at the school.  James received the WCCO Good Neighbor award in 1971.  He had a love for the great outdoors and enjoyed camping & hunting.

Survivors include his wife Darleen; daughters: Deb (Roger) Breyfogle of  Cottonwood, Laurie (Myron) Kuyper of Cottonwood, Becky (Doug) Kerkvliet of Custer SD, and Barbie Cole (fiance Josh Deutz) of Cottonwood; son Jeff Cole of San Luis Obispo, CA;8 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; brother Bob (Margit) Cole of Paynesville; and sisters-in-law: Lila & Corrine.  He was preceded in death by his parents Marvin & Signe, brothers: Gene & Richard, and in-laws: Glenn & Marie Prairie.

The family wishes to thank the nurses & staff at Morningside Heights Care Center for the loving care that they provided. Memorials preferred to a charity of your choice.