James "Jim" King

The service commemorating the life of James “Jim” King, 64, of Wood Lake, will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at the Wood Lake United Methodist Church in Wood Lake, MN. Visitation will be held on Tuesday from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. at the church.

James Ernest “Jim” King was born on December 26, 1961, in Sioux Falls, SD, the youngest of seven children born to Nancy and Fred King. After moving to Robbinsdale and the passing of his mother, the family moved to Mazeppa where Jim spent his youth on the river, exploring and learning many life lessons. He gained another mother when his father remarried to Arnelda. Jim helped his parents as they owned and operated the Ponderosa Supper Club and Camp Ground.

After graduating from high school, Jim joined the U.S. Army and proudly served our country. He always had a great many stories about his life. After his discharge, he acquired a motorcycle and rode it back to Minnesota. Jim and his brothers Fred and John owned and operated King’s Construction. Jim was married to Colette King and to this union were born children Katrina, Daniel and Mitchell.

Jim later worked for Minnegasco until his retirement. Jim was very talented. He helped many people get their heat going in the winter and AC going in the summer. He enjoyed time with his customers and he was proud that he could help them. On October 6, 2001, he married his wife, April and three more children joined the family.

His greatest love was his family. He was a great father and grandfather and a friend to anyone who would let him hear their story. He had a lifelong love affair with anything with an engine from remote controlled airplanes to Jeeps, boats and snowmobiles. He treasured his time in the Chippewa National Forest. Starting with his father and brothers, the tradition of time spent here continued with his own boys. He also enjoyed camping during the summer with his family. In his retirement, Jim and April enjoyed travelling across the country. He enjoyed teaching his trade to his children and mentoring them as well.

Jim passed away in the early hours of April 17, surrounded by family after a courageous battle with cancer.

He is survived by his wife, April, of Wood Lake, children Katrina (Lacey) King of Maple Plain, Daniel King of Minneapolis, Mitchell (Sictra) King of Waconia, Jesse (Amanda) Warnke of Porter, Amber (Shawn) Jensen of Zumbrota, Caitlin (Tyler) Warren of Wood Lake, grandchildren Brooke Jensen, Eleanor Warnke-Beilby, Charlotte Warnke-Beilby, Franklin Warren, Kaitlynn Jensen, Nicholas Jensen; siblings Alice (Pat) Marsh of Rochester, Sue King of Bovey, Barb (Gary) Lind of Bovey, Mary King of Minneapolis, sisters-in-law Thelma Gomes of Hendricks, Dawn (Ray) Heinonen of St. Michael, Suzanne Brougham of Coldwater, MI, Kris King of Dayton; and many adored nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Nancy King, step-mother Arnie King, brothers John and Fred King and brother-in-law Roger Gomes