James Andrew “Jim” Knox, 77
James Andrew “Jim” Knox, 77, of rural Fisher, MN, died at his home Monday afternoon, November 7, 2011, after a courageous battle against cancer. His wife, Claudia, and children, were at his side. Jim was born on the family farm near Fisher, on March 9, 1934, the son of William and MaryAnn (Votava) Knox. He attended Cathedral Grade School in Crookston and graduated from Saint James Academy in 1952 in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Jim started farming at the age of sixteen, upon the death of his father William in 1950, and continued to farm until his death. He enlisted in the Army National Guard in February of 1954, receiving his honorable discharge in October of 1962. On November 8, 1958, Jim married the love of his life, Claudia LeBlanc, at the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception in Crookston. Together, he and Claudia raised five children: Mark, Monique, Kelly, Scott, and Stephen. Jim and Claudia enjoyed their many travels to Florida in the winter, as well as visiting their son and family in Norway. He was a lifelong member of St. Francis Church, held membership in the Knights of Columbus, and had been active in the community, serving as a previous School Board Chairman and on other various local boards.
Jim is survived by his beloved wife of over fifty-two years, Claudia; 5 children: Mark (Nancy) Knox of Fisher, MN, Monique (Darrell) Utzinger of East Grand Forks, MN, Kelly (Dennis) DeBoer of Crookston, MN, Scott Knox of East Grand Forks, and Stephen (Jacqueline) Knox of Holmestrand, Norway. He was a wonderful grandpa to eleven grandchildren: Laura and Andrew Knox, Erin (Lou) Doth, Linsey, Jamie, and Jenna Utzinger, Cole, Brady, and Alex DeBoer, Emma and Phillip Knox. Jim is also survived by his brother, Bill (Liz) Knox of Mentor, MN and sister, Pat (Dewey) Bushaw of Denver, CO. He was preceded in death by his parents, William & MaryAnn; sister and brother-in-law, Jane and Dick Stainbrook; and nephew, Robert Knox. May God richly bless Jim’s memory.
The family wishes to give special thanks to Jeanine, Barb, Joan, Mary, Dr. Walsh, Dr. Kanten, and the Altru Hospice Center for their care and support for Jim and the family.
A Mass of Christian Burial for James Andrew Knox will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, November 12, 2011, in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Crookston. Visitation will be held in the Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home in Crookston on Friday from 5-7:00 p.m., with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service, and also at the Cathedral for one hour before the Mass. Interment will be in St. Peter’s Cemetery, Gentilly, MN. Military Honors will be provided by the Theodore Stalemo American Legion Post of Fisher, MN.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be given in Jim’s name to Altru Hospice of Grand Forks.
