James Robert Bennett, 53, of Austin, Minnesota, passed away to be with the Lord Friday, Dec. 23, 2016, at his home in Austin surrounded by loved ones.

Jim was born April 27, 1963, in Austin, to Robert and Colleen Bennett. He grew up in Austin where he graduated from Austin High School in 1981. On Oct. 22, 1988, he married Kelly Tricker in Faribault, Minnesota. Jim owned and operated Old 218, formerly Roberts Specialty Company, with his father, Robert, and his two brothers, Joe and Tony.

Jim enjoyed watching his boys grow into the honorable young men they are today. He was always proud of their character and accomplishments. Jim was on the Austin Youth Hockey board for many years. He enjoyed listening to his sons play in band and spending time at the hockey rink watching his three sons play and referee hockey.

Survivors include his wife Kelly (Tricker) Bennett of Austin; son and daughter-in-law, Jacob and Kaitlyn Bennett of Austin, and sons, Luke Bennett and Samuel Bennett, both of Rochester, Minnesota; father and mother, Robert and Colleen Bennett of Austin; brother and sister-in-law, Joe and Susanna Bennett of Austin; sister and brother-in-law, Katie and Bill Byerly of Mason City, Iowa; brother, Tony Bennett of Austin; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Scott and Sandie Tricker of Nisswa, Minnesota; grandchild, Camden Bennett; and niece and nephews, Joe, Olivia, and Levi.

The memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 27 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church with Pastor Ted Barthels officiating. Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 26 at Mayer Funeral Home, 600 Second St. NW, Austin. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery, Austin. Memorials are suggested to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.