James William Bohaty

James William (Jim) Bohaty, 82, died peacefully on May 28, 2014 at the Ecumen Villages in North Branch, MN. Jim was born on June 25, 1931 in Willow River, Minnesota to Edward and Victoria Bohaty. He graduated from Willow River High School where he was active in basketball, football, and baseball. He served in the US Air Force from 1951 – 1955 and spent 13 months in Korea. When Jim left the Air Force he returned to Willow River and worked alongside his brother Ed and sister-in-law Gloria at the Willow River Mercantile. On June 18, 1969 Jim married Phyllis (Saltness) Twite. They lived in Willow River until 1972 when Jim and Phyllis purchased the Nessel Hardware Store in Rush City, MN. They operated the hardware store, which became Bohaty ‘Do It Best’ Hardware, until his retirement in 2006. Jim was active in many community organizations, including the VFW, American Legion, Rush City Chamber of Commerce, Rush City Spaghetti Days, Rush City High School Band Boosters, Prison Community Advisory Board, Meals on Wheels, and the Shorewood Park Homeowners Association. He also loved music and played drums with several area dance bands, including 10 years with the Jolly Dutchman. In 2000, Jim and Phyllis were honored by the Rush City Chamber of Commerce as recipients of the Annual “Community Service Award”. Jim was also an active member of First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Rush City, serving on the Church Council and numerous other groups within the congregation. The family would like to thank the staff of the Ecumen Villages of North Branch, and Fairview Hospice, for the compassionate care and support provided to Jim in the last years of his life. Jim is survived by children: Susan Twite (Richard) Giorgi of Virginia, MN, Michael (Patricia) Twite of Grand Rapids, granddaughters: Krista Ramberg of Minneapolis, Julia (Chris) Palmquist of St. Paul, Katie Twite of Indianapolis, Megan Twite of Minneapolis, Michelle Twite of St. Paul; sister-in-law Gloria Bohaty of Willow River, nephew Bruce (Sandy) Bohaty of Willow River, nieces: Karen Bohaty of Minneapolis and Kay Bohaty of St. Paul; and many extended family members and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents Edward & Victoria (Price) Bohaty, his wife Phyllis Bohaty, brothers Richard Bohaty and Edward Bohaty Jr. Reverend Laurie O'Shea will officiate a memorial service at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 7th at the First Lutheran Church of Rush City. Visitation will take place on Friday, June 6th from 5-7:00 p.m. at the Olson Funeral Chapel, with a Masonic service held at 7:00 p.m. Interment will be in the First Lutheran Cemetery of Rush City. Memorials are preferred to the First Evangelical Lutheran Church building fund and Fairview Hospice. Funeral arrangements for Jim Bohaty of Rush City; are entrusted to the: Funeral and Cremation Service of Rush City ~ Olson Chapel. www.funeralandcremationservice.com