James Pekula, 83 year old resident of Little Falls, MN, passed away on Tuesday, May 21, 2019 at Diamond Willow Assisted Living in Little Falls. A Mass of Christian Burial took place on Tuesday, May 28, 2019 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Little Falls, MN with Father Ben Kociemba officiating. Burial took place in the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery north of Little Falls, MN. Arrangements are with the Shelley Funeral Chapel in Little Falls.
James Pekula was born on November 1, 1935 in Swan River Township to parents John and Florence (Gosiak) Pekula. As a young man at the age of 16, James had his own milk route hauling milk from local farmers in Swan River to the Sobieski Coop Creamery. At the age of 18, James and his younger sister, Joan ran their brother Leonard’s farm while he served our country from 1953 to 1955. James also worked for the Meat Packing plants in South St. Paul for a few years, while returning home on weekends and days off to help his parents and brother on the farms located in Swan River Township.
He was united in marriage to Rita Bursey on September 7, 1959 at St. Stanislaus-Kostka Catholic Church in Bowlus, MN. The couple made their home in Little Falls. Just three short months after James and Rita were married, James joined the Minnesota Army National Guard on December 1, 1959 and served our country for over 39 years honorably, until his retirement in 1993. James was hired full-time at Camp Ripley as a Federal Technician Mechanic shortly after joining the National Guard. He attained the rank of Sergeant First Class and was very proud of his 39 years working and training for the Minnesota Army National Guard. Even with his career in the Military, James never could be away from farming. In 1976, James and Rita were able to fill their life long dream and purchased their own farm just outside of Little Falls. There they raised a daughter and three sons on the farm milking cows, raising beef and a few hogs. James loved doing field work with his Farmall and International Harvester equipment. James never retired from farming, even after moving into Diamond Willow this last December.
James loved his wife, Rita dearly, spending time with his kids, grandkids and great-grandkids, enjoyed his moose hunt up north and deer hunting trips with the boys and grandkids. At deer camp, he always made sure he packed his leg medicine and Grainbelt beer. He loved watching Bonanza, Hogan’s Heroes, the ten O’clock news and Johnny Carson. He had to have his sweets after each meal and his donuts from Casey’s. James served on the following boards and organizations: Union Representative for Association of Civilian Technicians, Chapter 21, founding member and longtime president of the Polish Knight Riders Snowmobile Club. He was a member of the Little Falls American Legion Post #46, was a Knight in the fourth degree for the Knights of Columbus Council #1804 and a loyal member and longtime usher of Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Little Falls, MN.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Rita Pekula of Little Falls; children, Renee (Tim) Tabatt of Little Falls, Jeff (Monique) Pekula of Little Falls, Gary (Jennifer) Pekula of Eau Claire, WI, Randy (Lori) Pekula of Holdingford; grandchildren, Nichole (Joe) Gold, Kayla (Chris) Barnard, Katie Pekula, Corey Pekula, Alyssa Pekula, Justin Pekula, Megan Pekula, Carter Pekula and George Pekula; great-grandchildren, Sierra, Reed and Lillian; siblings, Joan Jendro of Little Falls and Mary Bellefeuille of Sobieski and many nieces, nephews and friends.
James was preceded in death by his brother and sister-in-law, Leonard and Geraldine Pekula; brother-in-law, Duane Jendro and parents, John and Florence Pekula.