James "Jim" F. Korkowski

James F. “Jim” Korkowski, age 84, of Alexandria, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Friday, July 11, 2025, at his home under the care of Moments Hospice.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, July 16, 2025, at the Church of St. Mary in Alexandria with Father Matthew Kuhn and Father Dan Ruprecht officiating. Full military honors accorded by the Minnesota Honor Guard and the Veteran’s Memorial Honor Guard. Private family interment will take place at St. Ann’s Cemetery, Brandon.

Visitation will take place on Tuesday, July 15, at Lind Family Funeral Home in Alexandria, beginning with parish prayers at 3:30 p.m., followed by the Knights of Columbus Rosary, and concluding at 8 p.m. The visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church.

James Francis Korkowski was born on April 18, 1941, to Aloysius and Grace (Lambertz) Korkowski in Millerville Township. He was baptized and confirmed at Our Lady of Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Millerville. Jim attended elementary school in Brandon and spent two years at Crosier Seminary Preparatory High School in Onamia for his freshman and sophomore years before graduating from Brandon High School in 1959. During school, he worked at the Millerville Co-op Creamery. In 1960, he moved to Kenosha, Wisconsin, where he was employed by American Motors. A year later, he returned home and began working for Farmer’s Grain Co. (Land O’ Lakes) in both Brandon and Evansville. In 1962, Jim enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving at Fort Knox, Kentucky; Fort Sheridan, Illinois; and the 5th Army Headquarters in Heidelberg, Germany. After receiving his honorable discharge in 1964, he returned to Brandon and resumed work at Farmer’s Grain Co. Jim was united in marriage to Judith “Judi” Shea on February 27, 1965, at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Brandon. Together, they were blessed with eight children. Jim had a strong entrepreneurial spirit. In 1968, he opened Jim’s Skelly Service in Evansville, and in 1972, he started Jim’s Auto Service in Brandon. That same year, he returned to Farmer’s Grain Co., where he worked until 1977 before taking over management of the Brandon Liquor Store. In 1979, he founded Uncle Moe’s Manufacturing in Brandon, which he owned and operated until 1987. He later joined Douglas Machine in Alexandria, where he worked until his retirement, for his fifth and final time, on January 2, 2024. Jim was a member of the Church of St. Mary in Alexandria and a proud member of the Knights of Columbus since April 1959, achieving the esteemed rank of 4th Degree. He was also active in several organizations throughout Alexandria, Brandon, and Evansville. Jim enjoyed golf, baseball, fishing, and watching his grandchildren and great-grandchildren play sports. He was a friend to all who knew him, and above all, he cherished his faith and his family, who loved him dearly.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Gerald “Jerry”; and granddaughter, Katherine Campbell.

Jim is survived by his wife of 60 years, Judi; eight children, Julie (Kevin) Nelson of Staples, Jan (Roger) Campbell of Brandon, Joe (Sue) Korkowski of Alexandria, Jim Pat (Staci) Korkowski of Bonita Springs Florida, Jill Korkowski of Alexandria, Jennae (Cory) Stadsvold of Elbow Lake, Jaclyn (Chad) Hanson of Fargo, North Dakota, and Jean (Seth) Pfeifer of Moorhead; 19 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; brothers, Dennis (Christella) Korkowski, Clifford (Bev) Korkowski, Norbert (Donna) Korkowski, David (Cindy) Korkowski, Michael (MaryLee) Korkowski and Mark (Bernice) Korkowski; sisters, Sister Cordelia Korkowski, Flavia (Ron) Magnuson, Theresa (Derald) Krentz, Rosemary (Bob) Peterson and Annette (Allen) O'Donnell; sister-in-law, Patty (Chris) Mehok; and many in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Serving as casket bearers will be Jim’s children.