James Kidd

James Wesley Kidd, the sweetest man in the world, passed from this world surrounded by the love of his family on February 27, 2024.  Jim was born to Theodosia and James Kidd in Saint Paul, on May 24, 1935.  He was the youngest of four, the only boy, with three older sisters.  As a result, he was happiest when surrounded by bossy women, a theme carried on when he met the love of his life Suzanne Mary Grochau at St Paul Central High School. They married in 1957 and had three bossy daughters and two sweet sons who share his penchant for loving, bossy women.  
 
Jim attended the University of Minnesota, and served in the Air Force.  He and Sue were stationed in Biloxi, Mississippi and Lake Charles, Louisiana, which fueled Jim’s love of jazz.  Following his service, they returned to Minnesota where Jim followed his father into a career in dental supply sales. Jim traveled the roads of north central Minnesota from Willmer to Hibbing serving dental practitioners and making life-long friends for over 40 years.  We estimate he drove more than a million miles in his career.  He was respected for his integrity, kindness, and good humor and was frequently greeted in dental offices with a hug.  For him, this was the highest in professional accomplishment.  He retired from Henry Schein Dental in 2008.  
 

Jim loved Sue.  They truly enjoyed one another's company,  cherished many dear friends, and joyfully shared the challenges of raising a rowdy family. In 1970 Jim and Sue moved their family to White Sand Lake in Baxter, MN.  They loved the Brainerd / Baxter community and were active in the Moose Lodge, American Legion, VFW, First Presbyterian Church and later, Park United Methodist Church. They were host parents to two foreign exchange students. Jim and Sue loved to travel and visited Hawaii and the Caribbean many times, journeyed to France, and traveled throughout the US.  They were married for 42 happy years until Sue died far too soon, in 1999.  Sue was his one great love, and he never remarried.  We are comforted that they are now finally reunited and having a dance together (Mom often boasted that he was a wonderful dance partner).
 
The thing Jim did best, however, was love. He loved his family immensely. In retirement, Jim focused the enormous capacity of his heart on his grandchildren, and great-grandchildren who brought him boundless joy.  He also loved music of all kinds, pickled herring, taking his dogs to McDonald’s for a burger, blueberry pancakes, action movies, going to the Minnesota State Fair, pie, and a nice vodka tonic, especially when paired with a pretty sunset, a lake, and people he loved.
 
Jim was also preceded in death by his parents, his sisters Julia Weber, Virginia Smith, and Margaret Lusso; brother and sister in law Robert and Joan Grochau, nephews Gordy Smith and James Weber, niece Peggy Lusso, and beloved dog Grace.  Jim is survived by his five children, Tim (Terri); Tammy; Larry (Kathryn); Christine (Ken Fanelli); and Heather (Sara Green);  eight grandchildren;  eight great-grandchildren, one great-great grandchild; his brother and sister-in-law Gordy and Marlene Grochau, many beloved nieces and nephews and many friends.  
 
The family would like to thank the caretakers from Home Instead, Breath of Life Adult Day Services, Harmony House Brainerd, and St Croix hospice who helped to care for him. Though in recent years, Jim’s health and memory declined, his sweet nature endured.  We are filled with gratitude for his caretakers’ ability to recognize his sweetness and good humor, and their willingness to love him.
 
A celebration of Life will be held Saturday, March 23rd at noon, with visitation at 11am at Park United Methodist Church in Brainerd.  His ashes will be interred at Baxter Cemetery in the same plot as his wife Suzanne according to his expressed wishes to spend eternity on top of her.  In lieu of flowers, the family recommends donations to Breath of Life Adult Day Services in Brainerd.