Engelking, James “Jim” Sr.

Died Dec. 20, 2021, having recently reached age 90. Jim grew up in St. Paul’s Frogtown. At 16, he taught himself to rewire his family’s electric service, the first of countless money-saving DIY projects. A year out of St. Agnes High School, Jim crashed the grad party of fellow Aggie Carol Gerten. He took her on a first date to Excelsior Amusement Park, and eventually down the aisle. Jim studied chemistry at the University of Minnesota, paying tuition by digging graves. He worked as a semiconductor engineer at Unisys for 30+ years, earning multiple patents. Together, Jim and Carol built a life on St. Paul’s East Side, raising six kids, playing lots of bridge and celebrating their 67th wedding anniversary last August. Each summer vacation, Jim packed the family into the car, leaving before sunrise “to beat traffic.” An active member of St. Pascal’s, he once led the Men’s Club. In retirement, Jim enjoyed golf with friends, summers at the cabin, winters in Florida. He will be missed by his family, especially his devoted Carol. The best decision Jim ever made was asking her to marry him. Jim was preceded in death by sister Cathy “Sis” Olson. Survived by wife Carol; children Jim Jr. (Betsy), Patricia (Craig Bachman), Jeanne (Jeff Schneider), Mike (Wendy McGraw), Paula (Jeff Peck) and Rob (Laura Linn); 14 grandchildren and many friends, family. Thanks to Jim’s care team at St. Therese of Woodbury. Visitation Friday, Jan. 7, 4-6 p.m. at Mueller Memorial, 835 Johnson Parkway, St. Paul. Funeral mass at St. Pascal Baylon Church, 1757 Conway Street, St. Paul on Saturday, Jan. 8, 10:30 a.m. with visitation at 9:30. The family requests you participate via live stream if you’re unvaccinated, unmasked or ill. Memorials preferred to St. Pascal Baylon Church.

LIVE STREAM LINK: https://youtu.be/NU3Y5PCCy0o