James Flugum, 70, Hutchison

Published 12:00 am Saturday, April 14, 2007

Funeral services for James I. Flugum, age 70 of Hutchinson, will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 15, 2007 at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home. Rev. Tammy Dahlvang will officiate. Interment will be in the Hillcrest Cemetary with military honors accorded by the Freeborn County Veterans Organizations. Visitation is 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday at Bayview and one hour prior to services on Sunday.

Jim surrendered his battle with cancer Thursday morning, April 12, 2007, at the Birchwood Hospice House in Hutchison with his daughters by his side.

James Irving Flugum was born Nov. 7, 1936, on the family farm near Albert Lea to Joseph M. and Grace A. (Flattum) Flugum. He attended District No. 66 and District No. 68 schools. James was confirmed in 1952 at Lunder Lutheran Church. He was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army serving state side during the Korean Conflict. James was employed as a heavy equipment operator and was a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 9, Denver, Colo.

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Jim was a self-taught carpenter, plumber, electrician and built two of his homes. He never knew a stranger and would talk to everyone, regardless of the subject. His family laughingly referred to him as the &8220;keeper of all things.&8221;

Survivors include his wife, Kathy Flugum of Aurora, Colo.; daughters Marilyn Flugum-James and her husband, Tom James of Missouri, Patty Berry of Emons, Delcie (Pete) Jensen of Buffalo Lake, Dixcie Lindberg of Austin; grandchildren Nicole (Abdi) Armendariz, Justin Goss, Mandy Berry, Jon (Jessica) Berry, Megan Berry, Luke and Pearce Jensen, Nickolas and Jacob Lindberg; great-granddaughters Sophie Armendariz and Madison Berry; and sister JoAnn Grace Flugum of Albert Lea.

James was preceded in death by his parents, his son, Joseph Robert Flugum, and his brother Lyle.