James N. "Jim" Palmer

James Norman “Jim” Palmer, 65, of Mankato, MN passed away peacefully on July 15, 2023 after a courageous battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his family.

There will be a Celebration of Life on Friday, July 28, 2023 at the Loose Moose Saloon and Conference Center. 119 S Front St. Mankato, MN from 6-9 pm. At 7:00 pm remembrance stories will be shared so come prepared to share if you wish. A meal will be served. Woodland Hills Funeral Home of Mankato is assisting the family with arrangements. www.woodlandhillsfh.com

Jim was born November 23, 1957, in Albert Lea, MN to Roscoe and Bernice (Brackey) Palmer. He graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1976. While in high school he participated in football, wrestling and track. Jim attended Mankato State University and received a bachelor’s degree in business in 1980.

Jim was a spirit’s salesman for approximately 42 years. He owned his own liquor store called Kirk’s liquor in Owatonna for many years. He worked for a variety of companies in the spirits business, most recently the Breakthru Beverage Group. He always enjoyed his customers and working with the public.

A true outdoorsman, Jim’s greatest passion was bow hunting for white tail deer. He spent countless days sitting in a tree stand on his property near Albert Lea, MN. His passion for bow hunting took him to New Mexico elk hunting, The Big Horn Mountains in Wyoming for elk and mule deer, and Manitoba, Canada, for bear. He also bow hunted for moose in central Ontario. Jim always said his favorite place on earth were the Big Horn Mountains.

Fishing was Jim’s other great love of the outdoors. Many fishing trips to Canada were planned faultlessly by Jim joined by his dad “Jiggs”, countless buddies, and his nephews. He went on fly in fishing trips to Nueltin Lake, Pelletier Lake, Waskaiowaka Lake and Lake Manitoba Narrows in Manitoba fishing for trophy jacks. He took fishing trips to Nikki Lake in NW Manitoba for 3 years and Kississing Lake in NW Manitoba for 20 years.

Jim could tell a story like no other. Every detail was explained in full, and one better have plenty of time to listen to it from start to finish with no detail left out. Jim had a vast amount of friends dating back to elementary school and college who were true friends right to the end. These friends were truly his family and all of you know who you are.

He is survived by two sisters Susan Stearns (Frank) of Mason City, IA, and Mary Jacobson (Toby) of Eyota, MN. Two nieces Miranda Wentworth (Derek) of Mason City, IA, and Ali Ford (Bennet) of Ames, IA. Two nephews Cole Martin of Chapel Hill, NC, and Connor Martin of Eyota, MN. He also had several great nephews including Mason, Sammy, Max, and Gunner.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents.

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