James Palecek

In Loving Memory of James Peter Palecek

Thursday, August 16, 1935 ~ Sunday, January 9, 2022

(86 Years, 4 Months, 3 Weeks, 3 Days)

Born in St. Paul and longtime resident of Lake Elmo, Minnesota.

Entered eternal rest peacefully, surrounded by family,

at Lakeview Hospital in Stillwater, Minnesota.

Sadly missed by loving wife of 61 years, Vivian; Children, James (Kimberly) of River Falls, WI, Julie (Rodney) Boatman of North Branch, MN, John (Claudia) of Lewiston, ID, and Shellie of Oakdale, MN; Grandchildren, David (Callan) Palecek of Stacy, MN, Mandy (Brent) Emery of Elk River, MN, Andrew (Lauren) Boatman of Cambridge, MN, Ashley Boatman of North Branch, MN, and Ryan Palecek of St. Cloud, MN; and Great-Granddaughter, Layla Boatman of Cambridge, MN; and his precious Golden, Lela (Baby). Also survived by siblings, Thomas (Sandra) of Woodbury, MN, Helen (John) Koslucher of Hibbing, MN, Pauline Johnson of Oakdale, MN, and John (Marie) of North Branch, MN, and many nieces, nephews, other family, and friends. Preceded in death by parents, Peter and Julia (Romanski), brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Sally, and many lifelong friends.

Jim proudly served in the United States Marine Corps from February 16, 1954, to February 15, 1957. Upon his return from overseas, Jim started his truck driving career. He was employed as a truck driver for Standard Building in South St. Paul, hauling cement blocks. Jim and a good friend then purchased a semi for long haul, mainly to the East Coast. Later, he then drove truck for Lehman Transport in the Twin Cities, hauling black oil. In 1959, he was hired as a concrete truck driver at Shiely Concrete Plant in White Bear Lake; he later became their #1 seniority driver. Jim had a very strong work ethic. In 1970, after the closure of the Shiely plant, Jim worked two full-time jobs until 1985; he was a fuel transport driver at Mobil Oil in St. Paul and at White Bear Lake (Vadnais) Oil. He was a great provider and always made time for family and friends. He was forced to retire in 1985, due to a severe back injury. Jim's professional and personal driving career spanned millions of miles without a single vehicular accident.

Jim met the love of his life, Vivian Owen, from St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin, in 1952. He graduated in 1953, from Harding High School in St. Paul. They were married on October 8, 1960, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Taylors Falls, Minnesota. Jim and Vivian bought their first home in Forest Lake, Minnesota, in 1960; their home was fondly referred to as “The Yellow Hatchery.” James (“Pete”) was born in July 1961, Julie in October 1962, and John in December 1963. They built a new home and moved to Lake Elmo on Thanksgiving Day, November 25, 1965, where they have resided ever since. Shellie was then born in May 1970. Jim and Vivian (who he fondly nicknamed “Curly”) had true love, joy, and happiness, a love to last a lifetime, a beautiful life together, with unconditional love and deep respect and appreciation for each other, to be treasured and cherished forever and always. Jim always expressed great love and appreciation for his beautiful wife, Vivian, telling her, “You are my greatest blessing.”

Jim's greatest joy in life was spending time with his devoted wife, loving family, and great friends. Jim had a great love, compassion, devotion, and adoration for dogs, starting in early childhood, when he had many dogs follow him home from school. His mother would say, “Oh no, not another one!” He has now been reunited with his beloved Goldens, Dutchess (1985-2001) and Angel (2001-2011), who had been waiting for him at the Rainbow Bridge. Jim's Golden girl, Lela (who he fondly called “Baby”), has been his constant, loyal companion since 2011; she will greatly miss her dad and the very special bond they had.

Throughout the years, Jim loved camping and fishing, especially at Owen Lake and Lost Lake campgrounds in northern Minnesota. He also enjoyed deer hunting, snowmobiling, gardening, attending tractor pulling events, and traveling across the country with Vivian in their recreational vehicles. He was an excellent auto mechanic and perfectionist who took great pride in having everything “squared away,” especially when it came to his home and vehicles. We all knew Jim to have nicknames for his good friends; if he gave you one, you were very special! In most recent years, he truly enjoyed the peacefulness and tranquility of nature and being outdoors in their beautiful yard, listening to the birds sing, and watching the deer and other wildlife.

LETTER TO OUR DAD IN HEAVEN

Thank you ever so much, Dad, for being a loving husband to our mother, an amazing father to all of us children, a wonderful grandpa to your grandchildren, and a fun great-grandpa to your first great-grandchild, and for your unconditional love and the many priceless memories that we will all treasure and cherish. We love you and miss you dearly. Your smile, your laughter, your hugs and warm embrace, your faith, guidance, strength, and wisdom are only some of the many things we will miss.

God called you home, and you are now our Angel in Heaven.

You will be forever with us and always in our hearts.

Rest in Peace, Dear Dad.