James L. Humble

James L. Humble, 91, of Rushford died on Friday, July 15, at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Home in Rushford.James was born on Sept. 4, 1919, in Bratsberg, Minn., to Lawrence and Elise (Byboth) Humble. He attended Bratsberg School through the eighth grade and graduated from Rushford High School.After high school, James worked for Karl Byboth and Son doing sheet metal work. He served in the U.S. Army during WWII. James served in a separate military battalion (99th Infantry Battalion, Norwegian Ski Troops). He served in the European Theatre, where he was wounded in the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944. After returning from the war, James again went to work for Karl Byboth and Son.On June 29, 1946, James married Greta Strand in Oakland, California. James worked for two years in Thule, Greenland. While in Thule he worked on the Dew-line early warning radar system for the U.S. government. When James returned to Rushford he purchased a farm which he ran with his brother Ray from 1954 to 1959. He then worked for Kraning Heating and Air Conditioning in Winona for 10 years.James started Humble Manufacturing Co. in Rushford where he built lick tanks for cattle, which later evolved into manufacturing wood stoves and furnaces. He retired in 1983. In his retirement James designed and built lefse rolling machines which are still in use today at the Norseland Lefse Factory in Rushford. James always had a great passion for building cars.During their retirement, James and Greta spent many winters in Texas.He was a member of Rushford Lutheran Church, Rushford American Legion and Rushford VFW.James is survived by two sons: Doug (Lynn) Humble and Lee (Janet) Humble, both of Rushford; 10 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and by one brother, Ray Humble of Rushford.He was preceded in death by his parents, wife and sister, Selma Kjos.There will be a memorial service for James at2 p.m. Tuesday, July 19, at Rushford Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Jan King officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday at Hoff Funeral and Cremation Service in Rushford.The family prefers memorials to be directed to the Good Shepherd Foundation.Leave a memory of James, sign his online guestbook and view his tribute video when it becomes available at www.hofffuneral.com.
Tribute video can be found at: videos.lifetributes.com/233381