Jim Crowley
d. August 6, 2023
Jim Crowley, age 80, of Granite Falls, passed away Sunday, August 6, 2023 at the Granite Falls Avera Care Center.
Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, August 11, 2023 at 10:30 AM at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Granite Falls. Interment will follow at the Granite Falls City Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Thursday, August 10, 2023 from 5:00 – 7:00 PM at Wing-Bain Funeral Home and will continue Friday at 9:30 AM, one hour prior to the service at the church.
James William Crowley was born to Joseph and Ruth (Kirpes) Crowley on April 28, 1943 in Slayton, MN. His childhood saw him grow up on the farm in Lime Lake Township, Murray County. On March 30, 1964 he was united in the sacrament of marriage to Sharon Ann Thedans at Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Avoca. Jim and Sharon first made a home in Avoca, MN then Wilmont, MN. After moving to Granite Falls, MN in 1969, it became clear, Jim’s time on earth was intended for service to others. It is Jim’s brand of servant leadership that will stand for eternity through his family in many roles. Jim spent decades devoting himself to paramount customer service and defense of his company’s fleet with a standing world record for mileage on his Ford P500 United Parcel Service delivery truck. Jim served his fellow Teamsters as Union Steward. His Renville County route and latter experience of nightly trips to and from MSP International with your Next Day Air packages outlasted his battle with Parkinson’s Disease. A few days ago, he could give directions to the Johnson Farm south of Danube with precision. For a quarter century, Jim served as an EMT, firefighter, and Chief of the Granite Falls Rescue Squad. It wasn’t long after that service, the crew of the Granite Falls Ambulance had the right to roll eyes at him telling them which turn was next by looking out the back window, to be admitted to an ICU in the twin cities. To be clear, he was always right. Jim’s example led to over one hundred years of experience through sons in law and grandsons as Firefighters, Captains, and Chiefs for Wood Lake, North River Fire District, Granite Falls, Cottonwood, and Hanley Falls Fire Departments. Jim served friends and family through his jack of all trades ability, teaching and annoying his grandsons all along the way. While his life saw him to and from the farm, he found satisfaction with a lunch pail and grandkids in tow, climbing in the semi to haul any crop or feed. Several family farms gained a new relative each fall. Jim volunteered as a driver for Project Turnabout Addiction Recovery Centers and bus driver for the care center. Jim served his neighbors on the board of the Green Valley Resort Association. He patiently served customers hopeful for a clean car at Gilby’s or waiting for the driveway to be clear of snow. Pelican Lake holds a special place of life, family, and friendship in Jim’s heart. It was in that simple place that the family was taught, work before play.
On Sunday morning, August 6, 2023, Jim was surrounded by family at the Avera Granite Falls Care Center, then met by his Savior, ancestors, parents, mother and father in law Frances and Ralph Thedans, friends, brother in law Floyd Bayerkohler, many more in laws, sister Sheryl Krick, and daughter Sheri Buss. He is missed by his wife Sharon, many friends, including staff of the Avera Granite Falls Care Center who became family, many in-laws, nieces, and nephews. Siblings Marlene Bayerkohler of Barrett, MN, Dale (Judy) of Baldwin, WI, Carol (George) Scotting of Pipestone, MN, Gary (Nancy) of Ghent, MN. Daughter Lisa (Mike) Knutson, grandson Tyler (Jenny) Knutson, great-granddaughter Josephine Knutson, and grandson Mason Knutson all of Granite Falls, MN, son in law Scott Buss of Champlin, MN, Mitchell (Victoria) Buss of Wilson, WI, grandson Nathan Buss (Cassie Rautio) of Champlin, MN. Daughter Jodi (Brian) Klinghagen of Olivia, MN, grandson Dylan Dubbeldee (Allison Chheng) of Cottonwood, MN, great-grandsons Jakobie Chheng and James Dubbeldee, and granddaughter Taylor Dubbeldee (Dylan Hanson) of Mankato, MN.
In lieu of flowers and gifts, donations in memory of Jim are preferred to the Granite Falls Living at Home-Block Nurse Program.
Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, August 11, 2023 at 10:30 AM at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Granite Falls. Interment will follow at the Granite Falls City Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Thursday, August 10, 2023 from 5:00 – 7:00 PM at Wing-Bain Funeral Home and will continue Friday at 9:30 AM, one hour prior to the service at the church.
James William Crowley was born to Joseph and Ruth (Kirpes) Crowley on April 28, 1943 in Slayton, MN. His childhood saw him grow up on the farm in Lime Lake Township, Murray County. On March 30, 1964 he was united in the sacrament of marriage to Sharon Ann Thedans at Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Avoca. Jim and Sharon first made a home in Avoca, MN then Wilmont, MN. After moving to Granite Falls, MN in 1969, it became clear, Jim’s time on earth was intended for service to others. It is Jim’s brand of servant leadership that will stand for eternity through his family in many roles. Jim spent decades devoting himself to paramount customer service and defense of his company’s fleet with a standing world record for mileage on his Ford P500 United Parcel Service delivery truck. Jim served his fellow Teamsters as Union Steward. His Renville County route and latter experience of nightly trips to and from MSP International with your Next Day Air packages outlasted his battle with Parkinson’s Disease. A few days ago, he could give directions to the Johnson Farm south of Danube with precision. For a quarter century, Jim served as an EMT, firefighter, and Chief of the Granite Falls Rescue Squad. It wasn’t long after that service, the crew of the Granite Falls Ambulance had the right to roll eyes at him telling them which turn was next by looking out the back window, to be admitted to an ICU in the twin cities. To be clear, he was always right. Jim’s example led to over one hundred years of experience through sons in law and grandsons as Firefighters, Captains, and Chiefs for Wood Lake, North River Fire District, Granite Falls, Cottonwood, and Hanley Falls Fire Departments. Jim served friends and family through his jack of all trades ability, teaching and annoying his grandsons all along the way. While his life saw him to and from the farm, he found satisfaction with a lunch pail and grandkids in tow, climbing in the semi to haul any crop or feed. Several family farms gained a new relative each fall. Jim volunteered as a driver for Project Turnabout Addiction Recovery Centers and bus driver for the care center. Jim served his neighbors on the board of the Green Valley Resort Association. He patiently served customers hopeful for a clean car at Gilby’s or waiting for the driveway to be clear of snow. Pelican Lake holds a special place of life, family, and friendship in Jim’s heart. It was in that simple place that the family was taught, work before play.
On Sunday morning, August 6, 2023, Jim was surrounded by family at the Avera Granite Falls Care Center, then met by his Savior, ancestors, parents, mother and father in law Frances and Ralph Thedans, friends, brother in law Floyd Bayerkohler, many more in laws, sister Sheryl Krick, and daughter Sheri Buss. He is missed by his wife Sharon, many friends, including staff of the Avera Granite Falls Care Center who became family, many in-laws, nieces, and nephews. Siblings Marlene Bayerkohler of Barrett, MN, Dale (Judy) of Baldwin, WI, Carol (George) Scotting of Pipestone, MN, Gary (Nancy) of Ghent, MN. Daughter Lisa (Mike) Knutson, grandson Tyler (Jenny) Knutson, great-granddaughter Josephine Knutson, and grandson Mason Knutson all of Granite Falls, MN, son in law Scott Buss of Champlin, MN, Mitchell (Victoria) Buss of Wilson, WI, grandson Nathan Buss (Cassie Rautio) of Champlin, MN. Daughter Jodi (Brian) Klinghagen of Olivia, MN, grandson Dylan Dubbeldee (Allison Chheng) of Cottonwood, MN, great-grandsons Jakobie Chheng and James Dubbeldee, and granddaughter Taylor Dubbeldee (Dylan Hanson) of Mankato, MN.
In lieu of flowers and gifts, donations in memory of Jim are preferred to the Granite Falls Living at Home-Block Nurse Program.
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