James "Jim" Whitlock

James “Jim” Robert Whitlock, grandpa of 16 grandchildren, passed away from complications related to Alzheimer's disease at Good Shepherd Lutheran Home in Rushford, Minn. on January 23, 2025. He was 87. Jim was born on October 11, 1937 to James and Alice Whitlock in Winona, Minn. Raised on a farm near Peterson, Minn., Jim was a very hard-worker at a young age. He worked his way through high school as a dual-sport athlete in football and track & field. Jim, known by Jimmy at the time, graduated from Rushford High School as a member of the class of 1956. In the 1960s, Jim married Carol Fodnes and moved to their new home in Pierz, Minn., a town roughly 100 miles north of the Twin Cities. This is where Jim worked to influence the next generation, starting a new outdoor track and field program at the high school where he worked as an industrial arts teacher. A track and field program that still exists to this day. Jim’s devotion to making the world a better place was shown throughout his life. In addition to being a teacher and a father, Jim worked at the Minnesota Correctional Facility in Red Wing, Minn. He helped young people to get back on track, while raising three children of his own in the small town of Hager City, Wisc. Seven days after Jim’s 48th birthday, he married Christena “Chris” Green at the little brown church in the vale. Over time, the two of them settled in Peterson, Minn., where they owned and operated the Crossing Bed and Breakfast. Jim also worked as a commercial beekeeper, owning his own beekeeping business called Whitlock Apiaries. He managed up to 2,000 beehives at moments in his career and retired in 2021. Saying Jim was a hard-worker is an understatement, this man was putting on bee-keeping suits until he was 83-years-old! From a farmer to a teacher to a welding inspector to a businessman, Jim did it all. But what is most important to Jim are his six children, 16 grandchildren and his faith in Jesus. “He was an affectionate, living, joyful man who always saw the good in everything,” Jim’s daughter wrote on Facebook following his passing. Jim is survived by his wife, Chris Whitlock, his daughters, Noel Green and Jenelle Whitlock, and his sons, John (Lynn) Whitlock, Joel (Becky) Whitlock, Dameon (April) Green and Travis (Hilary Patzer) Green. Celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, March 1 at Root River Community Church in Rushford, Minn. The service is scheduled for 11 a.m., with lunch and fellowship to follow after the service.