James E. Pechacek, age 77 of Blooming Prairie, died Monday, Aug. 27, 2012, at the Owatonna Hospital in Owatonna.

He was born May 6, 1935, in West Concord, Minn., to Edward and Pauline (Wilcox) Pechacek. After graduating from West Concord High School in 1953, he served in the U.S. Army Reserves. On July 14, 1962, Jim married his wife of 50 years, Suzanne Osborn in West Concord at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church. The couple had four children. He was employed by Standard Lumber for 29 years. He was also employed by Viking Chemical for 15 years. As a member of St. Columbanus Catholic Church in Blooming Prairie, Jim served as Eucharistic Minister and was a cemetery board member and church trustee. He also served for 30 years on the Blooming Prairie fire department with 10 years as chief. He enjoyed rose gardening, wood working, and traveling to see family. One of his favorite holidays was the fourth of July celebrations in Blooming Prairie.

Survivors include his wife, Suzanne Pechacek, of Blooming Prairie; his son, Paul (Peggy) Pechacek of Lakeville, Minn.; daughters, Diane (Angelo) Johnson of Stoughton, Wis.; Karen (Tim) McClements of Dallas, Texas, and Ann (Tony) Reinders of Eau Claire, Wis.; 10 grandchildren, Carey, Therese, Rachel & Leah Pechacek, Adrian & Ellen Johnson, Paige & Ian McClements, Esme & Hayden Reinders; 1 brother John (Sharon) Pechacek of West Concord; sister-in-law Mary Osborn of Willis, Texas; many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Edward and Pauline.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 31, 2012, at St. Columbanus Catholic Church in Blooming Prairie with Father Steve Peterson officiating. Friends may call at the Worlein Blooming Prairie Funeral Home from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday Aug. 30. There will be a 4 p.m. Rosary Service on Thursday. Interment will be in St. Vincent de Paul Cemetery, West Concord. Military rites by American Legion Post 52 and V.F.W. Post 878. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.