James “Jim” Lee Gollnick was born April 22, 1939 to George and Genevieve “Jane” (Senske) Gollnick in Webster, South Dakota. Jim and his younger sister, Carole, grew up in Webster.
He received his primary and secondary education from the Webster School District, graduating in 1958. In high school he was active in athletics – football, basketball and track. One of the highlights of his high school career was playing center on the undefeated 1957 Bearcat football team.
Following high school, Jim spent his evenings working as a custodian at Bethesda nursing home and days as a self-taught electrician and plumber. He also served his country as a member of the South Dakota National Guard from 1959 until his honorable discharge in 1967.
On June 24, 1961 Jim married his high school sweetheart, Mary Lou Peterson. They were married 46 years, time they spent traveling, working on wooden lawn ornaments together and raising their three children – Paulette, Paul and Beth.
Jim owned and operated Jim’s Electric in Webster for about 50 years, a business he built and ran with Mary Lou and two of their children, Paul and Beth.
Following Mary Lou’s death in 2008, Jim married Elizabeth “Betty” Grode on May 1, 2010. They were married until her passing in 2020.
Jim was a member of Christ the King Catholic Church.
Jim spent his life working hard and doing what he loved. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and spending time at his lake home on Pickerel Lake. Jim was an avid gardener and talented wood-worker. He prided himself on doing high-quality work and loved to display his wooden lawn ornaments in his yard. He was a lifelong Minnesota Twins, Vikings, and Timberwolves fan. He enjoyed visiting and joking with anyone and everyone he met. Most importantly, Jim loved and supported his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Jim was preceded in death by his wives, Mary Lou and Betty; by his parents, George and Jane Gollnick; sister, Carole Kingery; two daughters – Baby Girl Gollnick and Beth Ann Schlotte; son-in-law Marty Schlotte; brotherin- law Ralph Peterson; mother- and father-inlaw Margaret and Mason Peterson; and a niece and nephew.
Grateful for sharing Jim’s life are his daughter Paulette (Todd) Maursetter of Hosmer, son Paul and Jeff Winter of Pickerel Lake, Grandchildren – Elizabeth (Eric) of Hoven, Robert Maursetter of Sioux Falls, Lacey (Jared) Moser of Morris, MN, and Corey (Chrissy) Schlotte of Sioux Falls, five great-grandchildren – Jase, Mayla, Jaxon, Ryan and Arabelle, sister- in-law Mary Lou Peterson of Aberdeen and nephew Todd (Cassie) Peterson of Groton.
Coester Funeral Home & Cremation Service was in charge of Jim’s arrangements.