James A. Nesius

James A. Nesius was born June 25, 1945, in Lafayette, Indiana, to Leo and Hilda Nesius. He attended school at Lake Crystal and Wells, Minnesota. He graduated from Wells High School in 1963 and earned a B.S. in Chemistry at Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, in 1968. He taught Mathematics at Swanville High School, MN, before entering the U. S. Navy. He met Karen O’Neil, English teacher and librarian, there. They were married at Sacred Heart in Waseca on April 12, 1969. In May of that year he went to Officer Candidate School at Newport, R.I., and following his commissioning he served on the USS El Paso in Norfolk, VA. Later he served on PHIBRON 2 staff on the USS Shreveport also out of Norfolk. Following his discharge in August of 1972 he taught at Hawley High School as chemistry, physics, calculus, and computer teacher. He earned a Professional Fifth Year degree from Moorhead State University. Following 28 years of teaching at Hawley, he retired from there in 2000 but continued his career at Park Christian School, Moorhead, MN, as chemistry, physics, and calculus teacher. He retired from Park Christian in 2007 and had already begun another career as board member and eventually Chairman of the Board of Wells Concrete Products, a company that was co-founded by his father. He was on his way to a Board meeting when the car accident occurred on September 20 in Becker County.

Jim was a man of many interests. His huge garden produced a bounty of vegetables which he happily shared. He was a hunter of pheasants, ducks, and deer. He was a fisherman of sunnies with his granddaughters; salmon in Alaska with many friends, family, and business associates; and walleye and perch with neighbors, family, and friends. Jim loved woodworking and had recently focused on furniture. Fall was hisfavorite time of year.

The focus of Jim’s life was teaching——-and before he could teach, he had to learn. He was especially interested in environmental, biology, chemistry, and physics topics. In addition, he was an avid reader of biographies, Civil War, and WW II history. He enjoyed any nature or history program on PBS. Visiting his sons was important to him. His four granddaughters were a special joy—–funny stories, fishing, gardening, soccer, piano lessons were all sources of pleasure for him to see these young ladies grow and learn. His many students through the years were sources of tremendous pride and satisfaction. One told him, “I never knew what an engineer was until I took your class and now I am one.”

Jim had been part of the Gideons, Lake Park Lutheran Church Council, and served as 4-H leader during the years his sons were members. He had a penchant for writing: newsletters, stories, and his legendary Christmas letters which were seldom short but always entertaining. His students and everyone he touched recognized that his teaching did not end with academic topics. He enjoyed including “life lessons” and encouragement to all he knew.

He is survived by his wife Karen of Lake Park, sons Robert Michelle Beaverton, OR, and Samuel Annette Fargo; Grandchildren: Michaela, Isabel, Davin, Katie Nesius.

He is also survived by brothers Mark Sharon Good Thunder, MN; Brian Laurie Sauk Rapids, MN; John Denise Lake Ridge, VA; sisters Jean Dusbabek, Ft. Myers, FL; Lucy Lenny Franklin, NC; Annette Jerry Stubben, Pueblo West, CO; Paula Bob Lawler, Bemidji, MN; Mary Brian Sader, Good Thunder, MN; sister-in-law Pat Frank Demonte, Grayslake, IL; brothers-in-law Jim Jan O’Neil, Faribault, MN; Jon Vicky O’Neil, Waseca, MN; Dan O’Neil, Waseca, MN; Mike Judy O’Neil, Waseca, MN, and Tim Karen O’Neil, New Ulm, MN; stepmother Dorothy Nesius, Ft. Myers, FL; many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents Leo and Hilda Nesius; brother David Nesius, Wells, MN; in-laws Dallas and Dorothy O’Neil, Waseca, MN; nephew Shea O’Neil, Waseca, MN, sister-in-law Lori O’Neil, Sleepy Eye, MN, and brother-in-law, Richard Dusbabek, Ft. Myers, FL.

In lieu of flowers, donations to a charity of your choice is encouraged.

Visitation will be Monday, September 26, from 4:00 – 7:00 P.M., with prayer service at 7 P.M. in Wright Funeral Home, Hawley, MN.

Memorial Service will be Tuesday, September 27, at 2:00 P.M., in Lake Park Lutheran Church, Lake Park, MN.

A second Memorial Service will be held Friday, September 30, at 11:00 A.M., in St. John Lutheran Church, Waseca, MN.

Interment will follow at Woodville Cemetery in Waseca, MN.