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James Barry Wennberg was born on February 20, 1943 in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

Jim grew up in Roseville near Snelling and County Road B, where Jim’s parents owned a fish market and he was the youngest of five brothers.   

Jim graduated from Mounds View High School in 1961 and then attended the University of Minnesota where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business in 1966.  

Jim began his career working for the State of Minnesota Department of Commerce, auditing insurance companies and traveling throughout the US.  He spent his entire career in various roles working for the State of Minnesota where he retired after 30+ years. In 1989 - Jim moved from New Brighton to the Chisago Lakes area where he lived on Mattson Lake north of Chisago City.
 
Jim and Mary Ann were introduced by mutual friends – Gary and Mary Norton and were married in 1995 in Stillwater.  They lived in Scandia on the farm where Jim enjoyed various projects around the house, yard, woods and barns.  Throughout their time together – Jim and Mary Ann were able to travel extensively throughout the US- reaching over half of the states in their Airstream trailer.
 
Jim also enjoyed researching genealogy.  He successfully traced his ancestry back to the early 1700s.  As a result of this research – Jim and Mary Ann traveled to Sweden, Norway and Denmark to meet several distant cousins and forge lifelong friendships.

Jim was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 2011 and enjoyed many great years before the disease took its toll on his body.   Jim was called to be with his Lord on April 27th.  He died peacefully, in his sleep, with his wife of 22 years by his side.

Preceded in death by his parents Ed and Siri Wennberg; brothers Donald and Larry.  Survived by his wife Mary Ann; daughters Lori Lavin, Amy (Dave) Ryan, and Nicole Lavin;  grandchildren Cameron, Ava, Jonah and Gabriel; also survived by brothers Dean and John (Darlene) Wennberg.
Memorial Service at 11 am Thursday, May 4, at Lakes Free Church, Lindstrom, Minnesota. Visitation 1 hour prior to service at church.  In lieu of flowers, donations are preferred to Feed My Starving Children.

Arrangements by the Grandstrand Funeral Home in Lindstrom, Minnesota.  Condolences may be expressed online at www.grandstrandfh.com

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