James Williamson, 83, Northfield
James "Jim" Williamson, age 83 of Northfield, passed away Tuesday morning, Nov. 19, 2024, at his home.
James Melvin Williamson was born July 17, 1941, at home in Pipestone, Minnesota, to Ingwald and Eva (Beck) Williamson. He was baptized and confirmed at First Presbyterian Church and graduated from Pipestone High School in 1959.
In March 1960, Jim enlisted in the U.S. Navy and attended training for aeronautical electronics in Florida. He received his Honorable Discharge in March 1964 and moved to Oklahoma, where he studied at Spartan Aeronautics. In 1965, Jim moved to Minneapolis and started working for Northwest Airlines. In December 1967, he went to North Central Airlines, which then became Republic Airlines, then led to the merger with Northwest Airlines. Northwest Airlines was later acquired by Delta Airlines.
On April 3, 1970, Jim married Nancy Lund at Epiphany Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. They lived in South Minneapolis until 1976, when they built their home in rural Northfield. In his 41 years with the airlines, Jim worked as a mechanic, inspector, and a maintenance instructor prior to retiring in 2004. After retirement, he enjoyed winters in the south and traveling. He and Nancy were members of the Good Sam Club and Highview Christiania Lutheran Church.
On June 30, 2021, Jim married Sally (Steinberg) Gwin at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. Jim and Sally often camped with the Wandering Sands RV group, and spent their winters in Apache Junction, Arizona. While in Minnesota, they spent time with both of their families at gatherings and getting together with close friends.
When getting together with family and friends, Jim would always have a story to tell about his time in the Navy or working with the airlines. He also loved being a jokester, there was never a dull moment when he was around.
Jim spent many hours in his workshop building/repairing airplanes and tinkering on cars and motorcycles. Being out on the lake and fishing for Northerns or Walleyes was another favorite pastime of Jim's. One of Jim's greatest moments is when he became a Grandpa to his Grandson Mason. Jim enjoyed spending time with Mason and watching him grow up. He was one proud Grandpa.
Survivors include his wife, Sally; his children, Bradley of Moorhead and Stacy (Craig) Callstrom of Baxter; one grandson, Mason; his brothers, Gregory (Lila) of Pipestone and Douglas (Nancy) of Holland, MN; his sister Cathy (Brian) Rude of St. Anthony; Sally's children, Scott Behne and Thomas Gwin of Owatonna; two granddaughters, Brianna (Jake)
and Sydney (Austin); and many nieces, nephews, great grandchildren. Sally's siblings Judy Karaus, Paul Steinberg, Richard (Janet) Steinberg, Sue Knipple, Kerry (Tracy) Steinberg of Owatonna, Todd (Kathy) Steinberg of Atlanta, Ill., along with other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents Ing and Eva, and wife Nancy.
Funeral services will be at 11 AM, Monday, Nov. 25, 2024, at Highview Christiania Lutheran Church, rural Farmington. Interment will be in Highview Cemetery. Visitation will be 2-5 p.m, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, at Bierman, Benson & Langehough Funeral Home, and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. The service will be live streamed on the Highview Christiania Lutheran Church Facebook page.
Many thanks to the Allina Hospice for the wonderful care they provided www.northfieldfuneral.com.