James Milton Kalstad, 75, of International Falls, Minn., died Tuesday, June 19, 2012, at the Good Samaritan Society-International Falls, after an eight-month illness.
Jim was born to John and Vernice Kalstad on Feb. 6, 1937, in International Falls, Minn. He was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church, and in 1980 he became a member of St. Thomas Aquinas Church.
A 1955 graduate of Falls High School, Jim went on to attend the University of Minnesota.
Jim married Nancy McCabe on Nov. 24, 1965.
He graduated from the Minnesota School of Banking in 1973, and went on to the Graduate School of Banking in Madison, Wis., where he graduated in 1977.
Jim was employed by the International State Bank (Bremer) from 1965 to 1978. He spent one year as International Falls city assessor before becoming Koochiching County assessor in 1979. After 22 years, he retired as county assessor in 2002.
Throughout his life, Jim was an active community member. As a 50-year member of Elks 1599, he served as Exalted Ruler in 1968 and for many years as treasurer of BPOE 1599.
An avid golfer, Jim was a longtime member of Falls Country Club and served there as club treasurer during the ‘80s and ‘90s.
Following a family tradition of dedication to education, Jim was elected to the Falls school board in 1977.
Jim enjoyed his life in the Rainy Lake area; from his home on the banks of Rainy River with his family, to the deer shack on the West Fork, to the family’s Canadian cabin. By fishing, hunting, golfing, and curling with his Elks team, Jim’s life was full and productive.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John O. and Vernice Kalstad.
Jim is survived by his wife, Nancy A. Kalstad; son, John J. (Dixie) Kalstad; daughter, Kristin A. (Patrick) Cummings; five grandchildren, Kaitlyn and Kendra Kalstad, Jack R. Strain, Aidan J. Cummings and Owen P. Cummings; sister, Karen (Vern) Swenson; nephews, Aaron Ginter and Jared (Candy) Ginter, and grand-nephews, William and Sig Ginter.
Visitation will be one hour prior to the 10 a.m. memorial service Friday, June 22, at Green-Larsen Mortuary.
Memorials would be preferred to the Falls Food Shelf or the Elks Lodge 1599 Scholarship Fund.
Condolences may be left at www.greenlarsen.com.
Arrangements are with Green-Larsen Mortuary Inc., International Falls.
