James Mohler

James Allen Mohler, 86, of Staples, Minnesota, passed away peacefully at Lakewood Care Center, surrounded by his loving family on December 2, 2020, following a brief battle with Covid-19 with underlying Parkinson's Disease.

Jim was born in St. Paul, Minnesota to Clarence and Lotus Mohler on April 29, 1934.  The family moved to Staples in his early years.  Jim graduated from Staples High School in 1952.  He served in the US Navy from 1952-1956.  During his years in the Navy he travelled the world on the USS Midway.  He married his high school sweetheart, Joyce Wettstein, on May 18, 1957.  He graduated the University of Minnesota in 1962 with a Bachelor's Degree in Forestry.  He worked for the US Forest Service for 24 years and retired in 1986.  After retirement, Jim worked at Staples Community College part-time for several years and was also a Forestry Consultant.

Jim enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening, woodworking, camping, and winter picnics.  He was a man of the woods, loving to spend as much time as possible in nature.  He was a teacher and story-teller and loved spending time with his kids, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Jim is survived by his wife of 63 years, Joyce (Wettstein), children; Ann Ohmann, Craig Mohler, Jennifer Braun, and Kathryn Mohler.  He is also survived by 7 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren, and sister Marilyn Morrison.  Jim was preceded in death by his parents, his daughter Mary Stangle-Hess,  grandson Matthew Wahlstrand and son-in-law James Braun.

There will be a private service at Sacred Heart Church on Tuesday, December 15, 2020.  There will be a celebration of life next Spring/Summer when the Covid restrictions have been lifted.