James Louis Krikelas

Funeral Service for James Louis Krikelas, 87, of Aurora, will be 10am Saturday, November 21, 2015 at United Methodist Church in Aurora, MN with Pastor Barbara Hegfors officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Inurnment will be at a later date in the Forest Hill Cemetery in Aurora. Arrangements by Ziemer-Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Home in Aurora. Military honors accorded by the Aurora/Hoyt Lakes Color Guard. He died Tuesday, November 17, 2015 at his home surrounded by family. James was born May 18, 1928 in Duluth, MN to Louis J. and Elizabeth (Mader) Krikelas. At the age of 17 he enlisted with the US Navy and Marines, serving in the South Pacific. Following his military service, he attended the University of Minnesota-Duluth and during that time he worked on the docks in Duluth. He graduated from UMD with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. Jim re-enlisted with the US Marines where he served as an officer. He married Luella Mason and to that union Louie, Louise and Jimmy were born. Jim worked for General Motors prior to owning and operating Jim’s Chevrolet in Aurora for 32 years. On February 13, 1976 he married Alma (Laurila) in Aurora, MN. Jim was a pilot and an avid outdoorsman who especially enjoyed time spent at the cabin in Canada. He also enjoyed golfing, duck hunting and fishing. He was a member of the Marine Corp Reserves, East Range Lions Club, the Aurora American Legion and served as a skiing instructor at Giants Ridge. Survivors include his wife, Alma; son, Louis (Julie) Krikelas of Aurora; step-children: Tamie Pitman of Nevada, Laurie Wilson of Nevada, Darcie Pahos of Wisconsin and Diane Dew of Florida; seven grandchildren: Tari, Chuck, Renata, Chad, Travis, Mike and Adam; nine great grandchildren; several nieces, nephews and extended family members and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Elizabeth; first wife, Luella; son, James; daughter, Louise and a brother, Nick.