James Grant Huntting, Jr.

James “Jim” Huntting died on November 26, 2024, in Naples FL. He was born on July 11, 1927, to Laura (Ewe) and James G. Huntting, in Minneapolis MN. The family moved to Austin MN in 1932 so that his father could be closer to the family company’s grain facilities located in Southern Minnesota and Northern Iowa.

Jim attended Austin public schools, graduating from Austin High School in 1945. He enlisted in the Navy that spring and went to the Great Lakes Naval Training Station in Illinois where he served until being discharged in 1946, with enough time to enroll at Carleton College. While at Carleton, from which he graduated in 1950, he met his future wife, Joanne Sill. They were married in April, 1951.

The young couple settled in Austin, where Jim joined his father at the Huntting Elevator Company. The company, founded in 1860 in McGregor IA by Jim’s great-grandfather, grew into an enterprise that included livestock feed manufacturing and fertilizer distribution, in addition to the primary business of buying, storing and selling grain at the 14 elevators.

Jim gave of his time and energy to the Austin community. He served on many boards, including those of the Hormel Foundation, the First National Bank of Austin and the St. Olaf Hospital. He was elected to two terms on the Austin School Board. After his first election, he earned the nickname “Landslide Jim,” having won the seat by one vote. He and Joanne were also instrumental in the formation of the Austin Public Schools Education Foundation.

When Minnesota winters got to be a bit too long, Jim and Joanne began to visit Naples, FL. They quickly found the place that would be their winter home, the Wilderness Country Club. They spent many happy years there surrounded by the beautiful grounds, abundant bird life and wonderful friends.

Jim played golf and tennis, ran, biked and walked for as long as he was able. He tended to his prolific rose garden in Austin. He was a sports fan, and particularly loved baseball. An avid reader, his interests ran from Michael Connelly to biographies, and American and World War II histories. In music, he loved classical music, opera, and Dixieland and ragtime jazz.

Jim’s greatest love was for his family. He and Joanne had three daughters: Ann (Rich) Wolter, Lisa Huntting and Julie (Steve) Grandgeorge; five grandchildren and their spouses: Laura Yonamine and Roy McFarland, James Yonamine and Margaret Flores, Madeline and Evan Sivo, Samuel Grandgeorge and Trevor and Laura Dunn; six great-grandchildren: Georgia and James McFarland, Vivian and Rosalie Sivo, Charlie Dunn and Lyla Yonamine.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Joanne, his sister Ann, his parents and brothers- and sister-in-law. He is survived by the aforementioned family, much-loved nieces and nephews and a very few hardy friends. You know who you are.

A private service will be held at a later date.

Memorials may be made to Collier County Habitat for Humanity, the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum or to any cause special to the donor.