Obituary of Jim Kummer

James “Jim” Robert Kummer, Plymouth, MN, died peacefully on December 4, 2019, at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center at the age of 74.

Jim was born on April 13, 1945 in Breckenridge, Minnesota to Bob and Betty Hoffert. After Bob’s passing in an automobile accident, Betty married Ray Kummer who adopted Jim and his younger sister Joan. Jim grew up on the family farm in Colfax, North Dakota just south of Fargo. He spent his elementary school years at Nanson #1, a one classroom country school, in Nanson Township. While in high school Jim was active in sports and involved in class plays along with his sister Joan. He enjoyed acting and played lead roles is several plays. Jim graduated from Colfax High School in 1963 and from the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks as a Bachelor of Liberal Arts.

Jim served in the United States Navy (1965-1969) as Aviation Electronics Technician N Third Class working on Doppler radar for helicopters. A Vietnam War veteran, Jim served on aircraft carriers off the coast of Vietnam. After active duty, he served in the United States Navy Reserve in Richland County from 1969-1971. Jim was a lifetime member of both the American Legion and VFW and active in his local posts.

In 1969, Jim married Barbara Howell and to this union their son Brent was born. Jim adopted Barb’s son Michael. Later, in 1986, Jim married Karen Useldinger and adopted Karen’s daughter KyleeAnn.

Jim worked as an insurance adjuster until his retirement in 2009 at various insurance companies in North Dakota and in more recent years Minnesota where he relocated to live closer to his son Brent. He was also active in the Democrat NPL Party and ran for the House of Representatives in North Dakota.

Jim spent a lifetime at the family cabin on Ottertail Lake in Minnesota where in his leisure time he enjoyed sailing, cruising on the pontoon, waterskiing, barbecuing, and visiting by the bonfire, playing cards and dice games. Jim was also a great dancer and you could find him out on the dance floor anytime a good band was playing.

Jim is survived by children Michael (Mary) Kummer, Boise, Idaho; Brent (Jennifer) Kummer, Victoria, Minnesota; and Dr. KyleeAnn (Richard) Stevens, Shakopee, Minnesota; sister Joan Carlson, Fargo, North Dakota; brother Paul (Vanessa) Kummer, Colfax, North Dakota; grandchildren Elizabeth Kummer and Sophia and Sasha Stevens; special friend Jennifer Brown and her son CJ; nieces, nephew, other relatives and good friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

A Memorial Gathering will be held on Sunday, December 15, from 1-3pm at VFW Post 494, 5222 Bass Lake Road, Crystal, Minnesota. Interment will be at Zion National Methodist Church in rural Walcott, North Dakota in the spring/summer of 2020. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars or VFW Post 494.