James "Jim" Walter Kelm, 67, of Red Wing, died Wednesday, December 17, 2014. He was born in Morristown, MN, on August 18, 1947 to Harland and Mertis Kelm and grew up on a farm in Faribault, MN. He attended grade school at Trinity Lutheran School in Faribault and graduated from Faribault High School. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Ag Education from the University of Minnesota.
On June 9, 1968, he married Barbara Rollins. They moved to Red Wing in 1969 where he taught high school Agriculture for five years. In 1974, he became a Farm Business Management Instructor at Red Wing Technical College and retired in 2009. He was currently working with Barb in their business, Kelm Management Services.
He was very active professionally, serving in many positions on numerous state and national boards, including the Minnesota Vocational Agricultural Instructors Association; the National Farm and Ranch Business Management Education Association; the National Council for Agriculture Education; and most recently as the President of the National Farm Financial Standards Council. After retiring he was invited to speak at professional conferences and had started blogging for the Farm Futures online magazine.
Jim was also very active in his local community, first participating in the Red Wing Jaycees and Kiwanis and later as a member of the Red Wing Port Authority and Chamber of Commerce. He was awarded a JCI U.S. Senator Award and served each organization in numerous capacities.
Jim is survived by his wife Barb, three children Heidi (Tim) Arbisi-Kelm, Gretchen Kelm, Rebecca (Jacob) Good, and a grandson, Greyson James Good; one brother, Dale (Theresa) Kelm and one sister Judy (Brad) Covert as well as many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Monday, December 22, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Hay Creek with Rev. Lowell Sorenson officiating. Burial will be in the Oakwood Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, December 21 at the Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel and at the church for one hour prior to the service. Memorials are preferred to donor's choice. Online condolences may be sent to www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com
Visitation
DEC
21.
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM (CST)
Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel
602 Plum Street P.O. Box 111
Red Wing, MN 55066
Visitation
DEC
22.
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM (CST)
Immanuel Lutheran Church
24686 Old Church Road
Red Wing, MN 55066
Service
DEC
22.
11:00 AM (CST)
Immanuel Lutheran Church
24686 Old Church Road
Red Wing, MN 55066