1930
J.
2016
J. Jirak
March 20, 1930 — December 11, 2016
Hand-in-hand, Jim Jirak, and his wife, Marlene journeyed this life together. On December 11, 2016, J. James "Jim" Jirak passed away at CHI St. Francis Hospital in Breckenridge; then less than 14 hours later, on December 12, Marlene joined her husband in eternal rest. The Celebration of their Life will be 11:00 AM, on Friday, December 16, at the United Methodist Church in Breckenridge with a visitation two hours prior to the funeral service. There will be a visitation on Thursday, December 15, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM with a prayer service at 7:00, at the United Methodist Church. Pastor Mark Gronseth will be officiating. Interment will be at Riverside Cemetery in Breckenridge.
J. James "Jim" Jirak was born on March 20, 1930 in Sunnyside Township, rural Doran, MN, to Jake and Lena (Olthoff) Jirak on the farmstead in which he lived his entire life. He attended school in Doran and graduated from Breckenridge High School in 1948. Following high school, he farmed with his father.
Marlene was born in Breckenridge, MN to Pernal and Lena (Jacobs) McKibben on March 30, 1933. She attended school in Brushvale, MN and graduated from Breckenridge High School in 1951.
Jim and Marlene were united in marriage on September 25, 1952 at the United Methodist Church in Breckenridge. The couple farmed side by side for the rest of their lives. Together they drove combine and tractors, hauled grain, and filled bins. It was said that Marlene was the best worker on the farm. The two of them started with humble beginnings but worked hard to build a farm to be proud of and a legacy of integrity to pass on to their family.
Jim's life revolved around farming and family and Marlene was a practical, no nonsense farm wife. She was always prepared with a hardy meal, from fried chicken to Jell-O, especially Saturday nights. Her pies were made in quantity and always delicious. To say the couple enjoyed square dancing was an understatement. Jim was a square dance caller and called many gatherings in the tri-state area. They danced their way around the country often camped with the Dakota Ramblers. In their retirement, they loved to go on bus trips and put many miles on their RV. They also spent several winters in Arizona and Texas.
Given that they were nearly inseparable in their lives together, it seems fitting that they would move on to heaven together, with Jim preparing the way.
Jim and Marlene will be deeply missed by their children, Tom (Cindy) Jirak, Campbell, MN, Tim (Robin) Jirak, Gary "Butch" (Corinne) Jirak, Dean (Kim) Jirak, all of Breckenridge, MN, Michelle (Kelly) Klosterman, Mooreton, ND; their grandchildren, Michael (Dawn) Jirak, Rob (Emily) Jirak, Danielle (Mike) Hager, Justin Jirak, Taylor Jirak, Kayla (Doug) Burhans, Nicholas Jirak, Malena "Nina" Jirak, Kody Klosterman, and Kendra Klosterman; their great-grandchildren, Paul, Michae, Mercedes, Greta, and Rylie; Jim's sister, Doris McDonald, Fargo, ND; their brother-in-law, Edgar Deal; their sister-in-law, Joanne McKibben; and many nieces and nephews.
They were preceded in death by their parents, Jake and Lena Jirak, and Pernal and Lena McKibben; Jim's sisters, Dalles Martens and Arlene Deal; Jim's brother, Arthur Olthoff and his wife Alta; and Marlene's brother, P. Lloyd McKibben.
J. James "Jim" Jirak was born on March 20, 1930 in Sunnyside Township, rural Doran, MN, to Jake and Lena (Olthoff) Jirak on the farmstead in which he lived his entire life. He attended school in Doran and graduated from Breckenridge High School in 1948. Following high school, he farmed with his father.
Marlene was born in Breckenridge, MN to Pernal and Lena (Jacobs) McKibben on March 30, 1933. She attended school in Brushvale, MN and graduated from Breckenridge High School in 1951.
Jim and Marlene were united in marriage on September 25, 1952 at the United Methodist Church in Breckenridge. The couple farmed side by side for the rest of their lives. Together they drove combine and tractors, hauled grain, and filled bins. It was said that Marlene was the best worker on the farm. The two of them started with humble beginnings but worked hard to build a farm to be proud of and a legacy of integrity to pass on to their family.
Jim's life revolved around farming and family and Marlene was a practical, no nonsense farm wife. She was always prepared with a hardy meal, from fried chicken to Jell-O, especially Saturday nights. Her pies were made in quantity and always delicious. To say the couple enjoyed square dancing was an understatement. Jim was a square dance caller and called many gatherings in the tri-state area. They danced their way around the country often camped with the Dakota Ramblers. In their retirement, they loved to go on bus trips and put many miles on their RV. They also spent several winters in Arizona and Texas.
Given that they were nearly inseparable in their lives together, it seems fitting that they would move on to heaven together, with Jim preparing the way.
Jim and Marlene will be deeply missed by their children, Tom (Cindy) Jirak, Campbell, MN, Tim (Robin) Jirak, Gary "Butch" (Corinne) Jirak, Dean (Kim) Jirak, all of Breckenridge, MN, Michelle (Kelly) Klosterman, Mooreton, ND; their grandchildren, Michael (Dawn) Jirak, Rob (Emily) Jirak, Danielle (Mike) Hager, Justin Jirak, Taylor Jirak, Kayla (Doug) Burhans, Nicholas Jirak, Malena "Nina" Jirak, Kody Klosterman, and Kendra Klosterman; their great-grandchildren, Paul, Michae, Mercedes, Greta, and Rylie; Jim's sister, Doris McDonald, Fargo, ND; their brother-in-law, Edgar Deal; their sister-in-law, Joanne McKibben; and many nieces and nephews.
They were preceded in death by their parents, Jake and Lena Jirak, and Pernal and Lena McKibben; Jim's sisters, Dalles Martens and Arlene Deal; Jim's brother, Arthur Olthoff and his wife Alta; and Marlene's brother, P. Lloyd McKibben.
J. James and Marlene Jirak
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