/usr/web/www.marshallindependent.com/wp-content/themes/coreV2/single/single-obituaries.php
×

James Duncan

June 28, 1935-June 21, 2018

COTTONWOOD — Visitation for James Roy Duncan, 82, of Cottonwood, will be from 4-6 p.m. Monday at Sunset Funeral Home in Echo with sharing of memories and a prayer service at 6 p.m. The Sunset Funeral & Cremation Association is caring for the family.

He died Thursday, June 21, 2018, at the Minneota Manor in Minneota.

James Roy Duncan Jr. was born to James Duncan, a farmer, and Lorna (Kyrk) Duncan, a nurse, on June 28, 1935, in Pipestone. James grew up on a farm north of Trosky. He was baptized and confirmed at the Presbyterian church in Pipestone. James attended school in Edgerton and helped his dad on the family farm. Jim enlisted in the Navy in 1953 and was stationed in San Diego, California, serving on the USS Herbert J. Thomas Destroyer. He visited many ports including Guam, Hawaii, Japan, Okinawa and sailed the Pacific Ocean. James was honorably discharged on June 22, 1956.

On Sept. 28, 1953, Jim married his high school sweetheart, Nancy (Ludolph) at the Presbyterian Church in Marshall. Together the couple made their home in Pipestone for a short time. They moved to San Diego, California, in 1953 and returned to Pipestone until 1961 when they moved to Casanovia. In 1963, they moved to Tracy for a few years until moving one last time to Cottonwood in 1966. They were blessed with two children, Mark and Lisa.

Jim worked at grain elevators in Casanovia, Tracy, and at last Cottonwood, where he worked his way up to the manager position. Jim was known for his hard work and dedication and always talked about the wonderful “guys” that he was so lucky to work with. Jim retired in 1997.

Jim served as mayor for the city of Cottonwood from 1983-1990. He also was a member of the Cottonwood Lion’s Club and a member of the Cottonwood Country Club.

Together Jim and Nancy enjoyed playing games at the casino, playing cards, Farkle, golfing, bowling, traveling to various locations including Hawaii, Caribbean Cruises, Alaska, The Mediterranean, and various locations throughout the United States, including the infamous trip to Las Vegas where Jimmy hit a lucky slot machine! After retiring in 1997, Jim filled sunshiny days mowing fairways at the Cottonwood Country Club. In the spring of 2016, he lost his lifetime sweetheart to cancer. Jim, trying to recover from his loss, spent time with family, his pup Tiger and his wonderful neighborhood friends.

He is survived by his children, Mark (Marilyn) Duncan of Shakopee and Lisa (Kent) Fratzke of Cottonwood; five grandchildren: Lindsay Duncan and Tyler Duncan, Dana (Andrew) Mack, Amanda (Dusty) Harris, and Anthony (Kelsey) Fratzke; two great-grandchildren, Aubrey Harris and Mason Mack; and siblings, Luella (Late Merlin) Mundahl, and Carol (Dale) Holbrook and many special nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Nancy, parents James and Lorna Duncan, brother Albert “Slim” Duncan and sister Nancy Jane Sletten.