James A. Srsen, 82

James A. Srsen, age 82, of Blooming Prairie, passed away peacefully Sunday, Feb. 18, 2018 at Homestead Hospice House in Owatonna, surrounded by his family. 
James Allen was born June 8, 1935 in Austin to Hubert and Georgiana (Creegan) Srsen. He graduated with the Class of 1953 from Blooming Prairie High School and went on to earn his B.A. degree in Business Administration and Economics from Mankato State College in Mankato. During his college years, Jim served in the National Guard. 
Jim started his career with International Harvester Co., and worked for them at various levels for the next nine years. He was united in marriage on Sept. 23, 1958 with Marilyn Swanson in Mankato. That same year, he began a two-year military duty in the United States Army, much of which he spent in Okinawa, Japan.  
Following his honorable discharge, Jim and Marilyn lived in St. Paul and Zumbrota for the next few years before returning to Blooming Prairie in 1966. It was at that time he took over the operation of Srsen I.H. Implement in Blooming Prairie until 1985. From 1985 to 1988, Jim served as beverage manager for the Owatonna Country Club, and finished his career in electronic manufacturing with Itron, Inc. in Waseca, retiring in 2000. 
Familiar to collectors around southern Minnesota, Jim and Marilyn were avid antique hunters/dealers who enjoyed researching and reselling their finds. Jim had a special interest in old tin toys, loved a good auction or flea market, and was always tinkering with something. BP folks would often see Jim around town enjoying his recumbent bicycle! He was a long-time member of St. Columbanus Catholic Church in Blooming Prairie, and a 3rd Degree Knights of Columbus member.  
Jim’s loved ones will cherish and miss his quick wit, easy sweet smile, gentle soul, and those twinkling blue eyes behind his ever so stylish eyeglasses! 
He is survived by his children Brian (Kari) Srsen of Austin, Jon (Margaret) Srsen of Blooming Prairie, Julie Srsen (Francis Keys) of Blooming Prairie, Kimberly (Chad) Loecher of Northfield; grandchildren Kyle (Jenny Strand), Jaime (Chris Stundahl), Ryan, Dylan and Nick Srsen, Hannah and Griffin Loecher; great-grandchildren Brody Srsen, Evelyn and Korbyn Stundahl, and Alayna Srsen; brothers-in-law and sister-in-law and nieces and nephews. 
Jim was preceded in death by his parents; wife Marilyn on Aug. 16, 2009; and his twin brother Jerry (Evie) Srsen.
A Memorial Mass will be held at 12:30 p.m., Saturday, March 3, 2018 at St. Columbanus Catholic Church with Father Thomas Niehaus officiating. The Srsen family will greet friends from 4 to 6 p.m. on Friday, March 2 at Worlein Blooming Prairie Funeral Home, and will continue on Saturday for one hour prior to services at St. Columbanus. There will be a Knights of Columbus Rosary prayer at 4 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. 
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Jim’s memory are preferred. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.