James D. “Jim” Nystrom, age 79, of Austin died Thursday, Jan. 8, 2009 at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester due to complications of a heart attack.
Jim was born Oct. 27,1929 in Red Wing, Minn. to Jonas and Marian (Dahl) Nystrom. He graduated from Red Wing High School in 1947 and attended River Falls State College for two years. On Feb. 3, 1951 he was united in marriage to Shirley Ann “Polly” Schmidt at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Red Wing.  Jim served in the United States Army as a military policeman from 1951 to 1953 during the Korean War.
Jim was a trooper in the Minnesota State Patrol from Nov. 1, 1957 to Jan. 1, 1988, when he retired with the rank of sergeant.  He drove the Austin school bus for many years, and many times he drove the children of his earlier passengers. On the last day of school he would take them all to A & W for a treat.
Jim was an avid sports fan, especially the Minnesota Twins, Vikings and University of Minnesota Gophers.
Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Polly “Sweetie Pie” Nystrom, Austin; two sons: John (Mary) Nystrom, Austin, Minn., Tom (Sue) Nystrom, Mason City, Iowa; daughter: Jean (Randy) Lenoch, Newnan, Ga.; five grandchildren: Angela (Paul) Bernier, Brigitte Nystrom (fiance Bobby DeBell), Kirsten Nystrom, Andrew Lenoch, Casey Lenoch; great grandson, Christopher.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Marian Nystrom; two grandchildren, Christine Elizabeth Nystrom and Abby Jean Lenoch.
A funeral mass will be celebrated 10:30 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 12, 2009 at Queen of Angels Catholic Church with Father Dale Tupper officiating.  There will be a 2:30 p.m. wake service on Sunday at Mayer Funeral Home where friends may call from 1 to 3 p.m. and also one hour before the service at the church on Monday. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery with military rites by American Legion Post No. 91 and VFW Post No. 1216 and representation by the Minnesota State Highway Patrol.
The casketbearers will be Jim’s grandchildren and great-grandchild.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the American Heart Association.