Junior John Kathman

Junior J. Kathman age 80 of St. James, MN, formerly of Tracy, MN died Wednesday, June 25, 2008 at the Golden Living Center in Franklin, MN. Visitation will be from 4:00 until 8:00 PM on Sunday, June 29, 2008 at the Almlie Funeral Home in Tracy. There will be a private family interment at a later date in the Tracy City Cemetery. Junior John Kathman was born November 25, 1927 to Frank and Ora (Murray) Kathman in Esterville, Iowa, Emmitt County. He was baptized and confirmed in the Christian faith and attended Garvin Country School. On January 14, 1946 he enlisted in the U. S. Army at Fort Snelling and served until his honorable discharge on March 12, 1947. He then returned to the Garvin area. On July 26, 1947 Junior married Donna Mae Hansen and they made their home in Tracy. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church while living in Tracy. Over the years, they moved to Butterfield, MN, St. James, MN, New Ulm, MN, and Sleepy Eye, MN. Junior worked as a plant supervisor for Tony Downs and also as a custodian for the St. James Public Schools. Junior enjoyed fishing, hunting, raising dogs, spending lots of time with his family, and watching his son play softball. On Wednesday, June 25, 2008 Junior died, surrounded by his loving family, at the Golden Living Center in Franklin, MN, at the age of 80. Junior is survived by his three sons, Jerry (Sandy) Kathman of Milbank, SD, Keith (Robin) Kathman of Lewisville, MN, and Scott (Terra) Kathman of New Ulm, MN; one daughter, Renee (Jeff) Sorbel of Elysian, MN; one brother, Merle “Bud” Kathman of Aitkin, MN; three sisters, Vera Schweiso of Aitkin, MN, Mary Danielson of Balaton, MN, and Betty Fischer of St. James, MN; fourteen grandchildren and sixteen great grandchildren; nieces and nephews. His wife, Donna Mae, son, Kenneth, great grandson Josh Nelson, three brothers Jack, Les, and Donald, three sisters Mildred Bruns, Frances Hyatt, and Joanne Coyle, and his parents preceded him in death.