James "Jim" H. Christensen, age 90, of Grand Rapids, MN died Saturday, March 11, 2023, at Majestic Pines, Grand Rapids. Jim was born in 1932 to Lindsey and Edna Christensen in Hill City, MN. He and his 11 siblings grew up and attended school in Hill City. In 1951, Jim enlisted the Air Force. He was stationed in Guam with the Thirteenth Air Force during the Korean War. After his honorable discharge from the military, Jim returned to Minnesota and met Geraldine Matthews. They were married in Grand Rapids, MN on November 3, 1956. Jim and Geraldine moved to Oregon for a few years where he was a barber before returning to Grand Rapids.

In 1960, he began his career at Blandin Paper Co., retiring as a machine tender in 1993. On March 8, 1966, Gerry passed away, and Jim began raising their four children as a single parent. He took them to the lake, visiting relatives, to his hunting shack, and many trips to the dairy queen. Once his kids were grown up and moved away, he became a high school hockey super-fan, he traveled, boated and spent time with Velda and her family. He also showed up at his children"s lake homes often to spend time with his grandchildren and make sure they all knew how to properly swing an axe and enjoy a good wiener roast. Many cabin visitors affectionately called him "Big Jim" and "Grandpa Jim."

Jim was an avid outdoorsman. He enjoyed deer hunting, target shooting, 4-wheeling and snowmobiling. Nobody packed or tied down a 4-wheeler as expertly as Jim did (or so he believed). He was a member of the Driftskippers Snowmobile Club and was a devoted caretaker of the trail shelters. He will forever be remembered as a kind and gentle man who enjoyed the outdoors, a fish fry, Sunday dinner with Velda, and a good cigar after dinner in his backyard chair (pronounced SEE-GAR).

Preceded in death by his wife Gerry; infant daughter, Amy Lynn; parents and siblings: Jean, Shirley, Richard, Ronald, Barbara, Mary, Ray and Geraldine, and great grandsons Liam and Landon.

Jim is survived by his children: LaRae (Tom) Foehrenbacher; Scott (Joni) Christensen; Cynthia Christensen; and Brenda (Mike) Hill; his girlfriend of 47 years, Velda Kongsjord; grandchildren: Ryan, Nicole, Natalie, Tony, Mikala, Anna, and Tommy; nine great grandchildren; and siblings: Georgia Benson; Suzanne Christensen; and Dale Christensen.

A Celebration of Jim"s Life will be held from 1:00 pm " 3:00 pm on Saturday, April 1, 2023 at Libbey Funeral Home, Grand Rapids, MN with a Time of Sharing beginning at 3:00 pm. Burial with military rites will be at Harris Township Cemetery at a later date.