James Loren Kallsen

James (Jim) Loren Kallsen, age 85, of Middleton, WI, passed away peacefully at home on December 24th, 2022, surrounded by his loved ones.

Jim was born on April 29th, 1937, to Louis Bernard Peter Kallsen and Ruby Gwendolyn Kallsen (nee Wilson) in Pipestone, MN. Jim graduated from Jasper, MN, high school and went on to study at St. Cloud State University. After college he began a career in banking in St. Paul, MN, and La Crosse, WI. In 1959, Jim married his high school sweetheart, Patricia (Pat) Getrude Angell, and they went on to have two children together, Kevin and Kent.

Due to early medical retirement, Jim proudly took on the role of “Mr. Mom” to both sons. Jim also volunteered for several community projects (e.g. Big Brothers, American Heart Association, Lions). In their retirement years, Jim and Pat loved to travel to all 50 states, as well as internationally to Hungary, New Zealand, Australia, and the Netherlands, among many others. Jim loved to read, bird watch, and go to the Madison Overture. Jim will always be remembered as a kind and gentle soul who loved to smile, joke, and laugh.

Jim was preceded in death by his loving parents and sisters, Barbara Steelman and Kay Kallsen. He is survived by his two children, Kevin (wife, Jill; daughters, Victoria and Mikayla; and son, Benjamin) and Kent (wife, Lisa; son, Conner; and daughter, Anna); brothers, Gene (wife, Pam) Kallsen and Bruce (wife, Becca) Kallsen; and other relatives and dear friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations may be made to Sharing Active Independent Lives (www.sailtoday.org) or a charity of your choice. Jim’s family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff of both BrightStar Care and Agrace Hospice for their compassionate care. They would also like to recognize the friends and staff of Middleton Glen Retirement Community.

The family plans a Celebration of Life gathering on Saturday, April 29, 2023, at Middleton Glen Retirement Community at 1PM.

Placement of ashes is planned at Ihlen (Minn.) Community Cemetery on July 15, 2023.