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NEW ULM - James "Jim" Hjalmar Lund, beloved husband and father, died peacefully at his home Wednesday, Nov. 18, surrounded by family and friends. He was 84 years old.

Visitation will be 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 29 and 7:30 to 10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 30 at Minnesota Valley Funeral Home in New Ulm. It will continue one hour prior to the time of services on Monday.

Services will be 1 p.m. Monday, Nov 30 at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in New Ulm. Burial will be in the First Lutheran Cemetery in Lafayette. Full Military Honors will be conducted at the cemetery by the Lafayette American Legion Post 300.

Jim is survived by his wife Mary (Stoppelmann) Lund; daughter Jennifer Lund Jorgens and son-in-law Mark Jorgens of Golden Valley; brothers Wilbur Lund of McLean, VA; Gene (Louise) Lund of Moorhead; Earl (Ardis) Lund of New Ulm; sister Shirley (Virgil) Youngblom of Belle Plaine; sister-in-law Ethel Lund of Eagan; many nieces, nephews and great-nieces and -nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Woodrow Lund and sister-in-law Delpha Lund.

Jim was born Feb. 5, 1925 in Lafayette to Reuben and Meta (Ebert) Lund. He was the fifth of six children in his family and was the youngest brother. Jim received all of his pre-college education in Lafayette except for his senior year in high school. He graduated from New Ulm high school in the class of 1943.

Jim entered the military right after high school and served as a rifleman in the infantry during World War II. He received basic training at Camp Wolters Texas and was then stationed in the Philippine Islands. Jim fought in the Battle of Luzon for the liberation of the Philippines. Jim was the quintessential soldier and was very proud to serve his country. As an infantry scout, Jim was always on the front lines and saw heavy fighting during his time in service. His efforts earned him the Purple Heart, Combat Infantry Badge and Bronze Star, in addition to other service medals. We will always be grateful for the sacrifices Jim made.

After the war ended, Jim attended Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in social work. Jim had a deep understanding and compassion for people that made him eminently suited for social work.

In 1955, he accepted a position as a social worker in Brown County. He held this position for twenty years at which time he became a probation and parole officer for Brown County.

Jim was united in marriage to Mary Stoppelmann on Aug. 6, 1965 at St. John Lutheran Church in Belle Plaine. They lived their entire married life in New Ulm and have one daughter, Jennifer. Jim was a gifted and passionate golfer. He wrote an instructional book on the golf swing and was a long-time member of New Ulm Country Club. Jim was also a member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, the American Legion Post 300 in Lafayette, VFW, and the Disabled American Veterans.

In addition to golf, Jim loved having coffee with his friends and keeping up with current events. He was a devoted husband and a warm and loving father. Jim would do anything for his family. His presence filled our home with comfort and security. Words cannot convey how much we will miss him. The world is a better place to have known Jim.

His spirit will guide us through the difficult days ahead and lead us to a peaceful place where we can truly appreciate the richness he brought to our lives. We will love and cherish you forever, Dad.

Memorials preferred: Military Order of the Purple Heart, Chapter 807 Prairieland Defenders.