James“Sonny” Jewell, 89

James Edward “Sonny” Jewell, age 89, passed quietly in the early morning of June 15th at the Warroad Senior Living Center from complications due to Parkinson’s disease.

Jim was born on May 15, 1935, at the Bay Hospital in Warroad, MN, to parents James Bernard Jewell and Agnes Regina (Tveit). He lived North of Roosevelt in the Rocky Point area and attended Willow Creek, Prosper, and Williams Schools. He was active in track and field, running hurdles and relays.

He enlisted in the Air Force in 1955-1959 and was stationed in Washington state from June - November 1959. This was where he met his bride of 64 years, Nancy, his “love at first sight.” They returned to MN shortly after they married and had two children in MN. A baby boy, Scott, who was stillborn, and Brenda. They moved back to Washington, where Jim farmed, raised rabbits, drove a school bus, and had two more children, Edward and Debra. On his return to Minnesota, Jim farmed, processed meat, became lead man at Marvin’s, and eventually owned and operated the Cash Market in Williams.

After retiring from Marvin’s, Jim became a Senior Companion and helped several individuals get to doctor’s appointments, becoming their close friend. He also served in the American Legion Post 371 in Roosevelt and was an Honor Guard who played bugle at a number of veterans’ funerals.

He attended Mount Carmel Lutheran Church as a youth and Bethany Lutheran Church as an adult. His faith was strong and gave him comfort in his last days.

Jim was always busy doing something. He loved being outdoors. Planting and taking care of the gardens gave him great joy. When his family was young, he had horses and spent many hours riding with his children. He loved to fish in any kind of weather and became a golf enthusiast. He loved and looked forward to the Tveit Family golf scramble each year. His nickname, Sonny, came from the Tveit side of the family - in their presence, he was never called ‘Jim.’

Jim is survived by his wife, Nancy Jewell (née Hull), daughters Brenda Nelson (Jeff) and Debra Baldwin (Mike), son Edward Jewell (Lori), 14 grandchildren, and 22 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Deloris Mersereau, a brother, David Jewell, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his son Scott “Sonny” Jewell, his mother Agnes Jewell (née Tveit), and his father James Jewell.

A visitation will be held at Bethany Lutheran Church on Saturday, July 13, 2024, at 9 a.m. The funeral, officiated by Pastor Rachel Johnson, will begin at 10 a.m., with lunch to follow the service. Internment will follow the meal at Mt. Carmel Lutheran Church cemetery on Rocky Point Rd. just north of Roosevelt.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Williams Senior Center, 145 Main St., Williams, MN, 56686, or to The American Legion Post 371, PO Box 157,Roosevelt, MN, 56673.