James Therkildsen

Jim Therkildsen was known to his family and friends not only as a gentleman, but also as a gentle man. A man who was proud to serve his country, unfailingly considerate of others, and devoted to his family, Jim was truly a model of unassuming virtue.

On January 4, 1923, Hans and Lillie (Buss) Therkildsen became the proud parents of their second child, a son, James Edward. The three children in the Therkildsen family – Robert, Jim, and Gene – grew up in Rockham, South Dakota. Hans and Lillie supported their family by farming. Jim helped out on the farm growing up, and as a result he sported a perpetual farmer’s tan. Jim loved to swim in the local swimming hole, which was actually a “dugout“ in a pasture. Jim , with his brother Gene behind him, rode a horse to school. Jim was proud of his South Dakota roots, and in later years enjoyed collecting Rockham paraphernalia.

After his graduation from Rockham High School in 1940, Jim moved to Allegan, Michigan, where he had family. Jim was very patriotic, and he soon decided to serve his country by joining the Army. He enlisted on February 19, 1943, and was assigned to the rifle company of the 511th Parachute Regiment in the 11th Airborne Division. In total, Jim served as a paratrooper overseas for nineteen months. Courageous and dedicated, Jim was honored with battle stars for the New Guinea and Luzon campaigns, as well as a Purple Heart for his bravery in combat in Leyte (in the Philippines).

Jim was honorably discharged from the Army on December 29, 1945, at which point he returned to Michigan to continue his education. He enrolled at Western Michigan University, and graduated four years later with a Bachelor’s degree. Jim was blessed with four children: Terry, Lyn, Dave and Char. Jim loved being a father – he was a real family man. Family vacations were spent at Rockham and Crystal Lake, in northern Michigan. Around 1970, Jim founded Jet Transit, a mail contracting and air freight forwarding company.

In 1974, Jim met Patricia (Pat) Mastenbrook. They dated for a little over a year, and were married on December 26, 1975. Jim and Pat attended services at Lakeland Reformed Church. Pat had three children from a previous marriage – Michael, Kathy, and Anita – whom Jim treated as his own.

Jim retired in the 1980s, leaving his business in the capable hands of his son, Dave, and later, his grandson. Jim and Pat moved to Kline’s Resort, on Portage Lake. Jim enjoyed the beautiful surroundings, the community feeling at Klines, gathering with friends to play cards, walking the trails through the woods, and transporting children and grandchildren on his golf cart. The family often spend Sundays at the lake, where the grandchildren learned to water ski, and enjoyed tubing, pontoon boat rides, and cookouts. Jim and Pat enjoyed spending winters with family and friends at Serendipity Park in North Fort Myers, Florida. As the years went by, Jim’s family continued to grow, eventually numbering seventeen grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren.

One of his favorite places was his shed. Equipped with a radio (always tuned to WKZO AM), and a refrigerator, he could be surrounded by his tools and gadgets. Among his other favorites were thin crust pizza, and plain donuts. He loved all sports, especially the Detroit Lions and Tigers, and was a Little League baseball coach in Milwood for years. Another favorite of Jim’s was the annual family reunion at the Pine River, with his brother Gene’s children and grandchildren. Many happy hours were spent there, in canoes, and around the campfire.

Kind, patriotic, and with a great sense of humor, Jim was a man with small-town values and a big heart. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by his many friends and family members.

James Edward Therkildsen died on Friday, April 6, 2012, at the age of 89. He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Patricia; his children, Terry (Connie) Therkildsen, of Portage, Lyn Escobar, of Kalamazoo, Dave (Nancy) Therkildsen, of Kalamazoo, and Char (Kevin) Rusk, of CO; his stepchildren, Michael (Nancy) Reese, of FL, Kathy (Michael) Hailey, of CO, and Anita (Dave) Zastrow, of NJ; 17 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; his brother, Robert (Myrn) Therkildsen, of Rockham; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother, Gene Therkildsen.

The family will greet friends on Tuesday, from 10 -11 a.m., at the Life Story Funeral Home, 409 South Main, Vicksburg (649-1697). A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 10, at the same location, with Reverend Ed Schmidt officiating. Jim will be buried with military honors at the Fort Custer National Cemetery. Those who wish may make memorial donations to the West Michigan Cancer Center. Please visit Jim’s personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can learn more abut Jim’s life, share a favorite memory or photo, and sign the online guestbook.