James L. Vaaler passed away at the age of 82 years old at the Stoney River facility in Ramsey , MN, on Friday, September 29th, 2023. He was born in La Crosse, WI, on July 3rd, 1941, to Larry and Marie (Walsh) Vaaler.

Jim graduated from Aquinas High School (La Crosse) and also attended UW-La Crosse. He married Carol (Shilha) and this year they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. They lived in La Crescent, MN, where they raised their four children. Jim was an avid golfer and enjoyed that sport until his last years. He worked with his father managing the Gambles store and Vaaler Home Improvement. He later started the Brass Rail, serving food and beverages in downtown La Crosse on Pearl St. Jim loved connecting with people and enjoyed the social circles that came from that including his children’s and grandchildren’s school and sports activities. In the years after moving to the Twin Cities he worked with the special needs adults in the Rise program.

He is survived by his wife Carol, sons Dan from Blaine, MN, David (Kelly) from Andover MN, daughters Debbie Hall (Bob) from Marshfield WI, and Denise Zapzalka (Todd) from Blaine MN, ten grandchildren Ellen Hanson, Alexis Gee, Peyton Munoz, Allison Thompson, Jessica Marth, Katie Hall, Ethan Vaaler, MaKenna Zapzalka, Lauren Vaaler and Anna Vaaler, and three great grandchildren Waylon Thompson, Elsie Thompson and Vivienne Hanson, sister Diane Vaaler Withers, and brother Bob Vaaler both of La Crosse.

Jim was preceded in death by Larry and Marie Vaaler – his parents.

The family would like to thank the staff at Stoney River as well as all his friends and family who have lovingly supported Jim and Carol these last years as Jim lived with Parkinson’s disease – be it with frequent visits, phone calls or chocolate malts.

The funeral Mass will be at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 5th, 2023, at St. Timothy’s Catholic Church in Blaine, MN. Fr. Joe Whalen will officiate. A visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at the church. Following the mass there will be a luncheon followed by a graveside service at Epiphany Catholic Church in Coon Rapids, MN.