Jim Alker, 60, of Rochester Minnesota, passed away at his home on April 11, 2016 after a lengthy battle with depression.

Jim was born on December 4, 1955 in Rochester to Jim and Jeanette (Thelen) Alker.

He attended John Marshall High School in Rochester where he excelled in football and was part of the 1974 State Football Championship. He went on to play four years of college football at Gustavus Adolphus in St. Peter, Minnesota.

Jim met Sue Mittag while working in the research department at Mayo Clinic and they married in 1983. Together, they had two sons Benjamin and Michael.

Jim started SOLO plumbing in 1985. He held a patent on a bath drain called TRIAD and was presently working on several inventions. He had an entrepreneurial spirit.

Jim had a huge heart and as many would say "at times, generous to a fault." He was a person who took care of the needs of others before his own. He had a keen sense of humor and a quick wit. Jim loved his dogs and treated them to nightly joyrides.

He will be greatly missed by his family and many friends.

Jim is survived by his wife, Sue of 33 years; sons, Benjamin and Michael; mother, Jeanette; sisters, Jill, Jean and Julie; brothers, John(Lynn), Jeff(Kellie) and several nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his father, Jim.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00AM Friday, April 15, 2016 in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home in Rochester, Minnesota. Visitation will be held one hour prior to service. Family burial will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to the family.

Online condolences are welcome at mackenfuneralhome.com