James Wambeke

Feb. 18, 1940-Dec. 25, 2024

MINNEOTA — Services for Jim Wambeke, 84, of Taunton will be at 10 a.m. on Friday at St. Edward Catholic Church in Minneota. A recording of the service will be available later at www.horvathfuneralservice.com. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Thursday at the Horvath Remembrance Center in Minneota, and will continue from 8:30-9:30 a.m. at the remembrance center on Friday. Interment with military honors will follow the service at Ss. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Cemetery in Taunton.

He passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024, at the VA Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD.

James Lawrence Wambeke, son of Charles and Genevieve (Swedzinski) Wambeke, was born Feb.18, 1940, in Moline, Illinois. The family moved to the Taunton area in 1946. Jim was drafted in the US Army in August 1963. During his two years he served in the Vietnam War as a sharpshooter and radio operator before being honorably discharged.

Jim was united in marriage to Lucy Koopman on Feb. 3, 1968, at St. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Ivanhoe. They settled on a farm between Canby and Porter, and in 1981 they moved to their family farm in Taunton, where they raised their four children. Jim was diligent in keeping the farm free of pests, often taking matters into his own hands. He farmed for many years while also working at Schwan’s Maintenance and later for his good friend Pat Sterzinger’s tiling company until his retirement. He enjoyed tinkering with and fixing up cars for resale, as well as doing odd jobs around the farm. Jim was also passionate about racing cars and participating in demolition derbies. He was an avid bowler, competing in leagues and tournaments. He loved cooking and baking, reading Westerns and mysteries, and cherished spending time with his close friends and family. Jim liked to tease his grandkids and keep them stocked with treats during their visits. He was quick with a good joke and enjoyed engaging in conversation with everyone he met.

Jim is lovingly remembered by his wife Lucy of Taunton; children Terri Wambeke (Maury Hall) of Denver, CO, Clinton Wambeke of Waseca, Elizabeth (Justin) Sourdiff of Brainerd, and Ellen (Paul) Griebel of Marshall; grandchildren Mackenzie, Jake, Caden, Corey, Eli, Megan, Ella, Sam, Riley, Gavin, Harper, Sam and Scott, and great-grandson Amaris; and sister Marcia (Wambeke) Geurts of Sioux Falls, SD.

He was preceded in death by his parents Charles and Genevieve; grandparents Peter and Marie Wambeke, Mike and Elizabeth Swedzinski; brother Kenny Wambeke; sister Rosell Belaen; brothers-in-law Andrew Geurts and Roger Belaen; niece Rosie Belaen, aunts, uncles, and many other relatives and friends.

He will be missed dearly by his loved ones.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Jim’s memory to VA Medical Center-Sioux Falls, VFW Post 2980, or the American Legion.

Arrangements with

Horvath Funeral Service

Minneota, Minnesota