James Ottesen, 1954-2016

Published 8:53 am Wednesday, December 28, 2016

Memorial services for James “Jim” Ottesen, 62, of Oronoco, will be at 11 a.m Saturday at Christ Lutheran Church in Zumbrota. The Rev. Wayne Schoch will officiate. A private family interment will occur at a later date.

James Ottesen

James Ottesen

Friends may greet the family from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. Online condolences are welcome at www.bayviewfuneral.com.

Jim died Sunday, Dec. 25, 2016, in Blaine.

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James “Jim” Franklin Ottesen was born Dec. 14, 1954, in Mason City, Iowa, the son of Howard and Margaret (Sistek) Ottesen. He grew up in Gordonsville and graduated from Glenville High School in 1973.

Jim enlisted in the U.S. Army in August 1973. He was honorably discharged in June 1980. In 1981, he re-enlisted in the Army Reserve. Jim returned to active duty for Operation Desert Storm, honorably discharged in April 1991 and retiring in 1994. While in the service, Jim studied x-ray technology.

He worked as an x-ray tech at Mayo Clinic in Rochester for 30 years. Jim was a member of Christ Lutheran Church in Zumbrota. He loved to fish, play cards, was a Twins and Vikings fan and an avid snowmobiler.

Jim is survived by his sister, Mae (Dennis) Christensen; brother-in-law, Roger Nelson; and many nieces and nephews.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents Howard and Margaret Ottesen; sisters Sharon Nelson, Crystal De Poppe, and Tammy Ottesen; and brother-in-law, Elmer De Poppe.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Disabled American Veterans.