James Kohnen

James Michael Kohnen died February 25, 2025, at Northern Lakes Senior Living in Baxter, MN. He was 93 years old.

James was born December 17, 1931, in Langenburg, Saskatchewan, Canada, to Peter and Hedwig (Hemauer) Kohnen. He attended school through 8th grade in Langenburg and then helped out on the family farm. Later, he pursued training as an electrician, and began his career doing electrical work in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

He married Daricene (Kelso) LeCour on October 6, 1962. They made their first home in Winnipeg and welcomed their eldest child, Francine. In 1966 they made the decision to move to the United States and had their second child James Jr. in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. James Sr. entered into electrical construction with Commonwealth Electric and supervised the electrical work building power plants for the rest of his career. His job took him to many locations including Kentucky, Nebraska, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, and Utah. James and Daricene eventually retired to Sun Lakes, AZ in the mid 1990’s.

James and Daricene enjoyed traveling and camping, particularly out west. James was a talented craftsman: he enjoyed woodworking, refurbishing antiques, and created many beautiful stained-glass pieces, including windows and lamps. He was a pilot and loved flying his Piper Cherokee plane. James was an active member of the Knights of Columbus throughout his life and provided many hours of volunteer service through this organization. He will always be remembered as a kind and generous man, who took an active interest in the lives of those around him.

Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Daricene; son James Kohnen, Jr.; daughter Francine (Kohnen) Trtanj; and grandchildren Emily (Trtanj) Macdonald, Hannah Trtanj, and Sophia Trtanj. He was preceded in death by his parents, and siblings Hubert, Agatha, Margaret, Joan, and Mary.

Memorials may be made to Catholic Charities USA at donate.catholiccharitiesusa.org.

Funeral Services will be held at 1:00pm Tuesday March 11th, 2025, at Brenny Funeral Home, 7348 Excelsior Road N., Baxter, MN 56425. Visitation begins at noon, with a luncheon to follow the service.

Arrangements are entrusted to Brenny Family Funeral Chapel, Baxter.