James (Jim) Robert Stelley

Jim Stelley, 61, passed away peacefully on Monday, October 16, 2023, at Mayo Clinic St Marys Hospital, surrounded by his wife and family. Jim had fought a rare lung condition, Diffuse Pulmonary Lymphangiomatosis (DPL).

Jim was born to Robert and Laureen (Kraus) Stelley in Rochester, MN on February 25, 1962. He was number 6 of 8 siblings (affectionately called the 8Js). In December 1982, Jim and Linda Lee Sherden were introduced by mutual friends. They had an instant connection, became soulmates,  and were married on July 20, 1985.

Jim attended St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School and graduated from Lourdes High School in 1980. After completing Rochester Community College, he attended Baylor University in Waco, TX. He graduated from Baylor in August 1985 with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. In January 1986, he began working for the Wal-Mart Corporation as an assistant store manager in Graham and Breckenridge, TX. After receiving a phone call from his father and brother Jon, Jim and Linda returned to Rochester so Jim could run the family businesses.

Jim worked as the General Manager/Owner of Westgate Service Center on the west side of Rochester, a business his father had started in the mid-1970s. Jim's parents also owned an ice company in the late 1960s, which eventually became Stelley's Pure Ice. In the early days, you could find the entire Stelley family bagging and delivering ice to grocery stores, gas stations, restaurants, campgrounds, etc. Stelley's Pure Ice continued to grow with guidance from their parents. Jim and Jon became owners in 1987. You could find many of the 5th Avenue neighborhood friends bagging and delivering for SPI – for many, it was their first job. After building a large customer base and years of hard work, SPI was sold to Arctic Glacier Ice in 2000, which opened the door for the brothers to buy Westgate Service Center from their parents.  It has continued to thrive under their ownership. Jim was the president of Westgate Service Center and Vice President/Secretary of J&J Properties, which includes a real estate portfolio of commercial properties in Rochester and Sioux Falls, SD. Jim worked hard and was dedicated to running a successful small business. He had excellent business acumen and strived to make each customer feel like family.

Jim enjoyed fishing, hunting, boating, and relaxing at his "happy place" at Lake Zumbro on Ryan's Bay. Most of all, Jim loved and adored his family. He was a son, brother, husband, brother-in-law, godfather, uncle, and trusted friend.

Jim is survived by his wife, Linda Lee (Sherden); his mother, Laureen; and siblings; Jean (Scott) Larson of Rochester; Judy Behnken of Boise, ID; Jacquie (Ed) Fricker of Stewartville; Jill (Bill) Virden of Golden, CO; Jeff (Connie) Stelley of Rochester; Janet (Gary) Gunderson of Rochester; Jon (Deanna) of Rochester; Brother-in-laws:  David (Beth) Sherden, Onalaska WI; Scott (Lisa) Sherden, Arkdale WI; Bruce (Beth) Sherden, Alexandria MN.

Though he and Linda did not have children, they were blessed by their nieces and nephews: Kelly (Jeff ) Braun, Andy Larson, Sarah (Ryan) Rossow; Marissa (Mike) Boxall, Katie (Pule) Puaauli, Camryn (Mason) Dugger; Kevin (Kim) Lund, Laureen Lund, Samantha Fricker, Eddie (Tierynee) Fricker; Tess, Margaret Jane Virden; Benjamin (Katie) Grant, Missy (Jason) Brekke, Brittany (James) Yaworski, Brianna (Josh) Wright; Hannah, Elisabeth, Grace, Joseph, Matthew, Margaret, Kate Stelley; Meaghan, Elissa Lee (Jared) Sherden, Allyson (Ben) Bierman; Travis (Sarah), Tyler (Rachelle), Colin (Ashley) Sherden; Eric (Miranda), Adam, Ryan Sherden; 33 great nieces/nephews; one great, great niece.

He was preceded in death by his father Robert, infant brother, Jerry, and brother-in-law Jeff Behnken.

In the spirit of Jim's generosity, the family chose to donate Jim's lungs to Mayo Clinic Research in the hope of providing a better understanding of this rare disease. The family wishes to thank Jim's care team on Mary Brigh 6G (Lexi, Katie, Katie, Jordan, Megan, and the pulmonary team) for their phenomenal care.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, November 4, 11:00 am – 12:30 pm, followed by a memorial service at 12:30 pm in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to the American Lung Association https://www.lung.org/ .

Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com