Memorial service for James “Jim” Wohnoutka, 71, of Minneota will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 23, 2020, at the Rehkamp Horvath Funeral Home in Marshall. A public walk-through visitation will be held from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 22, 2020, and Thursday from 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. at the Funeral Home. A private family interment will take place at a later date.
James “Jim” Francis Wohnoutka was born on February 24, 1949, in Willmar, MN, to William & Helena (Frank) Wohnoutka. He was the seventh of eleven children and loved his family deeply. He graduated from Olivia High School in 1967, moved to St. Cloud, and then to Minneapolis where he met the love of his life Kathryn Jerzak. They were married on September 11, 1971, at Holy Redeemer Church in Marshall and moved to a farm by Ghent after their daughter, Chanda, was born. After the birth of their son, Andy, they settled in Minneota where Jim served as a Councilman and volunteered for the Minneota Ambulance. Jim worked a variety of jobs but was most proud of his work at MNDOT, where worked until his retirement. In his free time, Jim loved to play cards, go fishing, and take his dog out pheasant hunting, and he was a member of Pheasants Forever. More than anything, he loved spending time with his grandkids. Being “Grandpa Jimmy” brought him so much joy, and it was their love that kept him fighting to the end. In 2008, Jim was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma and had a stem cell transplant. Despite his diagnosis, Jim was determined to fight. For 12 years, he defied the odds. He endured chemotherapy, radiation, and broken bones but never complained. When asked how he was doing, Jim’s answer was always the same: “Damn good, and you?” He was an inspiration to all who knew him and was proud to be an Honorary Chair at the 2009 Lyon County Relay for Life.
Jim passed away on July 20, 2020, at his home in Minneota under the care of Prairie Home Hospice. He is survived by his wife, Kathy of Minneota; daughter Chanda (Jeff) Bossuyt of Ghent, their daughters Alyssa (Bryce) Jeppesen of Marshall, Rachel of Liptovsky Mikulas, Slovakia, and Marci of Ghent; son Andy (Jill) Wohnoutka, their son Sam of Bird Island; siblings Marge (Dick) Bergo of Spicer, Therese Kragenbring of Atwater, Phyllis (Chris) Berninger of Crawfordville, FL, Betty (Marvin) Dubert of Hosford, FL, Jerry (Sue) of Richfield, Dianne (Allen) Nichols of Punta Gorda, FL, Karen (Dennis) Barta of Olivia, Greg (Becky) of Loyalton, CA, Deb (Lionel) Kull of Sauk Rapids; sisters-in-law Diane of Spicer, Sue (Dave) Karolczak of Brookings, SD, and Doreen (Dean) Peterson of Marshall; and many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, mother- and father-in-law Mary & Marce Jerzak, brother Bob Wohnoutka, and several nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorials to Prairie Home Hospice & Community Care or the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society are preferred.
