James Wallenberg, 89

James Edward Wallenberg was born on Dec. 2, 1936 to Ed and Pearl (Zahara) Wallenberg in Hallock, Minn. His expiration date on this earth was Monday, Jan. 26, 2026, in Thief River Falls, Minn.
Jim graduated from Lancaster Public school in 1954. In October 1957 he married Marlene Peterson, with whom he had three sons. Marlene passed away in March 1966 during a blizzard. On Aug. 2, 1975 he married Irene Trudel in Pembina, N.D. This past August, Jim and Irene celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a party for family and friends. Jim loved a good party! He worked hard and played hard and will be forever missed by many.
Jim was a Kittson County boy most of his life. He was raised on the family farm where he learned a great work ethic, one he passed onto his children. He farmed, worked for Midwest Gas Company, and the Kittson County Highway Department as a grader operator. His greatest love was farming, and a proud moment was when the family farm was designated a Century Farm in 2004. He looked forward to hunting season and loved to fish the Roseau River, finding more success than not. His favorite outings were the Goodrich consignment auction every April and Big Iron and the Middle River Goosefest in the fall. He had so many great stories to tell for a life well lived.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Irene; sons Wes (Kris), Lester (Darla), Scott (Brenda), Mark; and daughter Dawn (Neal) Kyono; 10 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren.
Jim is preceded in death by his wife Marlene; parents Ed and Pearl; sister Caryn (Morris Murray); brother Ronnie (Eleanor); and one granddaughter, Stacy.
A funeral service for Jim was held Saturday, Jan. 31 at 11 a.m. in the Sion Lutheran Church, Lancaster. Visitation was at the church an hour before the service. The service was live streamed for those unable to attend in person on the church’s Facebook page.
Austin Chapel, Hallock is in charge of arrangements. www.austinfuneralchapel.com.