James "Jim" Brakken

James (Jim) Brakken was born on January 27, 1938, the son of Sam and Hellen Brakken, the third of three children. Jim was raised on the Lake Ida farm in Douglas County. After losing his mother at the age of 3, his special sister Susie stepped in, though only being a young teenager herself, becoming his mother figure and creating a lifelong bond that was a rock for him.

He was baptized and confirmed at the original First Lutheran Church of Alexandria. He attended country school District 36 through the 8th grade walking to and from school. After school ended, he stayed at home farming “bacheloring it” with his father, raising cows, pigs, crops and dogs. He farmed using horses and his first tractor - a WC Allis Chalmer - that he bought himself as a teenager.

He enjoyed roller skating and horseback riding with his best friend Herb Radjl, going all over Douglas and Todd counties on Sunday afternoons.

In the Spring of 1961 on one of his roller skating trips he met his life partner Shirley Ann Hermes of Rose City and promptly stuck his cigarette in his front shirt pocket still lit and set himself on fire, showing his interest in her. Love is blind they say, and Shirley married him anyway on September 21, 1963 beginning 61 years of marriage together. They started in a small trailer house on that Lake Ida farm, having three children together Sheryl 1964, Douglas (1966), Sharyn (1967) - milking cows and raising crops along the way. In the Spring of 1970, they purchased the Carlos far. They were excited to have a bigger house, a better barn and no “stinking rocks” to have to farm around! They added two more children, Brenda (1972) and Jamie (1977) while adding onto the farm.

Jim spent several years driving milk truck for Carlos Creamery as well as farming until it closed and then became a patron of Nelson Creamery, serving as a board member for over 20 years. In the late 90,’s Jim stepped back from farming and began driving for Peoples Express, taking people to and from doctors’ visits – a job he truly enjoyed. Getting to visit with old timers and talking about the good old days until his full retirement made the days fly by.

Jim enjoyed dogs, his favorite being a blue heeler named Frosty that was so dedicated to him they would attempt to die for each other almost succeeding several times. His love for music was also a constant having tapes Polka music or listening to the AM Albany station when reception was available. Late in life he enjoyed traveling, going on trips with his children to California, Alaska, the North Shore and Canadian Rockies. He was a awestruck trip to New York City where he claimed he sunburnt his tonsils looking up in amazement with his mouth open. He learned to fish more as he got older taking his grandson over to Lake Louise and wrapping his line in trees and over the powerline. He enjoyed his grandchildren more than they will ever know and loved them greatly.

Jim passed away on Thursday, June 12, 2025, at Douglas County Hospital with his wife, Shirley, by his side. He is survived by his wife, Shirley of 61 years; Daughters: Sharyn (Paolo Bentgarmicha) of Ashby, Brenda (Tony Paper) of Fargo; Sons: Douglas (Kim) of Barrett, Jamie (Londa) of Carlos; 12 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren and many nieces he truly loved.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Sheryl Brakken-Feely; parents: Sam & Hellen; sisters & brothers-in-law: Gretchen (Oscar) Engstrand, Suzanne (Loren) Johnson and he always said too many others that mattered to him.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, 4:00 – 7:00 PM at the Anderson Funeral Home and will continue on Thursday, June 19, 2025, 10:00 – 11:00 AM at First Lutheran Church with a Funeral Service at 11:00 AM. Burial will be at Kinkead Cemetery.