Jim Beaudette, age 77, of Prior Lake, MN, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 15, 2023, at his home, on his 54 Wedding Anniversary.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, May 12, 2023, at 11 am, with a time of gathering one hour prior, at St. Michael Catholic Church, 16400 Duluth Avenue SE, Prior Lake. Father Tom Walker will preside.
Jim was born in St. Paul, MN on August 5th, 1945, to David and Katherine Beaudette (Delaney). He attended Nativity grade school and Cretin High School. He loved sports and also took a lot of pride in being part of the Junior ROTC program that was part of the Cretin High School experience. By his senior year at Cretin, Jim had risen to the rank of lieutenant commander of his battalion. Jim played basketball, but football was his true love. He played for the football team all four years of high school, and according to him, the team never lost a game. Jim would often recite the phrase, “Cretin, Cretin, can’t be beaten.”
After high school, Jim attended St. John’s University in Collegeville, MN. He continued his football playing days at St. John’s playing for the legendary coach, John Gagliardi. During his time at St. John’s Jim was fortunate to be part of the 1963 national championship team. This was the first national championship for the university.
After graduating from St. John’s, Jim took a job with Sears Roebuck and Company. He dedicated 40 years of his life to the company in a variety of roles. He loved the leadership he was able to provide and took great pride in helping his employees be the best they could be. He also became a realtor while living in Sun City West, AZ and enjoyed helping people find their retirement homes.
Sports were always a big part of his life, and he continued his love of sports by coaching a number of teams that his four children were a part of. He also loved to play racquetball and golf. His abilities around the green earned him the nickname, “Mr. One Putt”. The other game that Jim loved to play was cribbage. He played often with his kids and enjoyed teaching his grandkids how to play as well.
Jim was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, brother, friend and leader. He took great pride in helping others. He was a big man with a big personality, and people always felt comfortable talking to him. He had a wonderful ability to bring out the best in everyone.
Jim is deeply missed by his wife of 54 years, Sue, his sons, Kris (Tara), Tim (Oralia), Shawn (Teresa), and his daughter, Kate. He is also deeply missed by his much-loved grandchildren, Austin, Evan, Maria, Owen, Emmett and Myles and his only sibling, Jeanne Doody.
Greeting Jim home in eternal peace are his parents and brother-in-law, Rick Doody.
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Paula Niver
Thinking of your family. Jim will be greatly missed.
Helen Ward
So sorry to hear about your loss your Husband
and your father. Jim was so fun to be with. Remember and the happy times you all had together.
Love and Prayers
Richard and Helen Ward
Mary C McKenna
I was so saddened to hear of Jim’s death.
I was happy to get to know both of you better at
our “flamingo” gatherings.
Let us know what you need
Your neighbor
Mary C McKenna
Colleen Buller Johnson
Thoughts and prayers to you all. What a kind man. I was in Junior High when I got to really know Jim. Always a huge smile on his face . The Buller family loved him so very much. Hugs to you all.
Diane Alred
Prayers for the family. Mike and I will always remember him from TCCOM. Great memories.
Mike and Diane Alred
Larry and Marilyn Anthony
Our sincere condolences to Jim’s family. As a fellow St. Johns University Alum Jim was affectionately known as the Bear. He was always fun to banter with. Both being in Retail we compared notes on Sears and Wards I will never forget his Mystical Experience he shared with me
Just prior to a medical procedure. Rest in Peace Big Guy. ❤️
Jon Steele
Jim,
Even at Cretin high school, you were an old, kind soul.
Although we went separate paths, to this day your name conjures up feelings of kindness. Thank you, Jim – for quietly exemplifying being true to self. Semper Fi, mi amigo.
Judith Morem
I so enjoyed Jim and Sue as neighbors “up at the lake”. His greetings from his deck, upon arrival, were thunderous and much loved. He will forever be in my heart. ❤️Judith.
Sally Morem
Mom and I enjoyed years of being neighbors with Jim and Sue up here at our cabin on the lake in Nisswa. We recall fondly how Jim would sit out on his deck, talking loudly in the friendliest manner to relatives and friends on his phone. He’d wave to us as we walked by. He would come over and visit, immediately walking over to the big chair in the living room and sit. We called that one Jim’s chair. The entire Morem family will miss him, including Mom and me.