James Nisja

James Nisja was born at St. Luke’s Hospital in Fergus Falls on October 23, 1933, the only child of Halvor and Julia (Anderson) Nisja. He attended grade school at District 36 in Grant County and graduated from the Barrett Public School in 1951. Following the mechanics course of study at Dunwoody Institute in Minneapolis, Jim returned to Barrett where he began his lifelong career as a mechanic. He began working at Schmidt Chevrolet before being inducted into the United States Navy in 1956. Upon his discharge, Jim began working for George Stavig in Barrett before starting his own business, Jim’s Repair, in a small shop in Barrett. Over the years, he was employed at Christianson’s Inc. and Ford Implement in Elbow Lake, before joining the service crew at Midwest Machinery (formerly Amundson Equipment) where he retired at the age of 84. 

Jim married Beverly (Shuck) Larson on July 24, 1965, and they made their home in Barrett. Besides his work, Jim did look forward to his annual deer hunting trips “up north” and dropping a line in the lake now and then with friends. He was a member of Peace Lutheran Church and a long-time member of the American Legion post in Barrett. 

After living in Barrett for 89 years, Jim moved to Breckenridge in the fall of 2023 where the St. Francis Home became his new “home.” He died there early Sunday morning, December 15, 2024. 

Survivors include his children Deb (Les), Glen, Julie (Tom) and Harley; grandson Matthew and great-granddaughter Taylor; step-grandchildren Sarah (Wyatt) Tulp, Neil (Charlene) McKay and Amanda Nielsen; and step-great-grandchildren Noah, Paige, Ari, Lux and Mia.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Beverly, and two sons-in-law, Richard Johnson and Kevin McKay.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Jim’s name may be directed to Peace Lutheran Cemetery, Doug Ostenson, 17964 State Highway 55, Barrett 56311, CHI Health at Home Hospice, 1110 Hwy 75 N, Suite A, Breckenridge MN 56520, or the charity of your choice. 

Friends are invited to reminisce with family on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, from 2 to 4 pm at the Erickson-Smith Funeral Home in Elbow Lake.