Jim Sandberg, 89, Palisade
Jim Sandberg passed away peacefully on Jan. 7, 2025, at his home in Palisade, Minn., at the age of 89.
Celebration of life will be Saturday, June 14, 2025, at the American Legion, 20 1st Ave. NE, Aitkin.
He was born May 21, 1935, to Guy and June (Voyles) Sandberg in Welcome, Minn. He graduated from Welcome High School and went on to attend Dunwoody Institute earning a degree as a mechanical draftsman. He served in the Army from 1958-1964.
He married Shirley (Clark) Wodarezak and they later divorced.
Jim was employed at the Owatonna Tool Company and Power Team as a mechanical draftsman, supervisor, and product specialist for forty years, until his retirement in 1997.
In 1986, he married Kathy (Starman) Jacobs, and they resided in Owatonna. In 2007, they moved to their lake home in Northern Minnesota, the place Jim loved dearly. He was always busy doing projects around home. He also loved playing cribbage, and solving Sudoku, crossword puzzles, and the daily New York Times Wordle game.
Jim was active in many organizations. He was a trustee for the Owatonna Eagles and the chairman of the Eagles Cancer Auction for many years. He was a member of the American Legion in Owatonna and Aitkin, and a member of the VFW in Owatonna.
Jim was a selfless man, always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone that needed help. He was a great storyteller and jokester. He always remembered dates of all occasions for family and friends. Jim had unconditional love for his family and friends.
When he was diagnosed with GCA (Giant Cell Arteritis) in May 2024 and became legally blind in August 2024, he kept a strong and positive attitude and lived life the best he could. His saying was, “God gives you lemons, you make lemonade.”
Jim is survived by his wife of 38 years, Kathy; son Tom Sandberg, Burnsville; daughters Jami (Dean) Kirchner, Owatonna, Desiree Norman, Brandon, Fla., and Linda Sandberg, Owatonna; daughter-in-law Sandi Reighard, Estherville, Iowa, extended family Michelle and Jeff Huxford, Owatonna; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Darlene Warwick, Red Wing, his brother Kevin Sandberg, Welcome, and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a son Steve Reighard, a granddaughter Stephanie Hansen, a great-granddaughter Lainey Grace Ryan, two brothers Ron and Daryl, sister-in-law Gloria Sandberg, and brother-in-law Curtis Warwick.
At Jim’s request, he is a donor to the University of Minnesota Anatomy Bequest Program.
A special thanks to the VA of Brainerd and St. Cloud, Fairview Health, Minneapolis, Riverwood Clinic and Hospital of Aitkin, Moments Hospice of Brainerd, and all of his wonderful caregivers.