Jim Sherman Fodness, age 86 of Glenville, Minn., died Thursday, July 31, 2008 of heart failure at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester, Minn.
James was born on Sept.15, 1921 to Jacob and Sella (Christopherson) Fodness in Moscow Township of Freeborn County. He grew up in the Oakland Township area. Jim worked on the family farm and lived with various relatives helping on their farms also. In 1940 he moved to Milwaukee, Wis. and later that same year to El Segundo in the Los Angeles area and went to work for Douglas Aircraft.
In 1943 he returned home and joined the Army Air Corps. Jim was united in marriage to Priscilla Loken on June 24, 1945 at the Oakland Midway Lutheran Church. He was honorably discharged in 1946, receiving the good conduct medal, among others. After his discharge Jim operated the Farm Labor Service Station for eight years then went to work for Interstate Power Company as a fireman in the power plant. He remained there until his retirement in 1978 when they closed the plant.
Jim was a charter member of Grace Lutheran Church in Albert Lea, Minn. He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge and the Albert Lea Rod & Gun Club. Throughout his life Jim was an avid gardener, planting thousands of evergreens, large vegetable gardens, berry patches, and later, hostas.
He had a great appreciation for nature and conservation. Jim was instrumental in re-introducing wild turkeys to Minnesota. He loved deer hunting up north and was also a carpenter and enjoyed making many bird houses. Jim was a kind and generous man who enriched the lives of everyone he met.
Survivors include his four daughters: Linda (Joh)n Lawler, Kokomo, Ind., Vicki (Jim) Petersen, Mankato, Minn., Shari Fodness, Minneapolis, Minn., and Wendy Fodness, Glenville, Minn.; grandchildren: Erin (Jon-Eric) Eliker of Kokomo, Sean (Jacalyn) Lawler of South Carolina, Megan Lawler of Indiana, and Renn Fodness, Glenville, Minn.; sisters: Annette Bond and Ruth Rauen, both of Austin, Minn.; sisters-in-law: Eldora (Bob) Tandberg, Golden Valley, Minn., Opal Schallock, Albert Lea, Minn., and Avis Lehman, Northwood, Iowa.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Priscilla; sisters, Gladys, Edna, Esther, Alice, and Mary; and brothers, Franklin, Marvin, Raymond, Harry and John.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2008 at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home. Rev. Lyndy West will officiate. Military Honors will be accorded by the Freeborn County Veteran’s Organizations. Visitation will be at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home two hours prior to the service. To sign the guest book, go to www.bayviewfuneral.com