James Joseph Root, son of Walter and Laura (LaGue) Root, was born February 17, 1922 in Marshall, Minnesota. At the age of 6, his family moved to Stevens County, where Jim was confirmed on June 2, 1935 by Father Fearon. Jim grew up in Stevens County and attended Country School and St. Mary?s High School in Morris for one year. He continued his education at the West Central School of Agriculture, where he graduated in 1939. On September 4, 1942, he enlisted in the United States Navy, where he served in World War II. On November 19, 1945 he was united in marriage to Dolores Robertson in Jacksonville, Florida. Jim received an honorable discharge on January 12, 1946. Following his discharge, the couple moved to Stevens County, where they farmed until 1964. Jim was then named postmaster at the Donnelly Post Office until 1986, when he retired.
Jim was an active participant in the Donnelly Community, where he was a member of the Commercial Club, City Council and the Rod and Gun Club. He served as director for the Runestone Telephone Association for 20 years and sat on the Neimackel Park Board. He was a longtime member of St. Theresia's Catholic Church in Donnelly. He was also a member of the Morris American Legion, VFW and Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed gardening and hunting. He especially enjoyed the time he spent with family and friends.
Jim died on December 14, 2005 at the Glenwood Retirement Home in Glenwood, MN, where he lived to reach the age of 83 years.
He is survived by his wife: Dolores Root of Donnelly; children: Sheryl (Charles) Hanson of Loveland, CO, Dennis Root of Pine City, Terry Root of Jackson Hole, WY, James (Beverly) Root of Spooner, WI, Timothy (Debra) Root of Donnelly and Angela (Darrell) McConaghy of Madison, SD; 18 grandchildren: Jon Hanson, James Hanson, Karen Hanson-Miller, Angela Hanson-Wood, Sara Root Long, Dennis Root Jr, Robert Root, Matthew Root, Jonathon Root, Jessica Root, Heidi Root, Kristin Root, James Root, Justin Ellison, Melissa Ellison, Edward Ellison, Laura McConaghy and Landon McConaghy; 18 great-grandchildren; sisters: Dorothy Slough of Sun City, AZ, Doris Rognlin of Sauk Rapids and Donna Bahr of Morris and brother: Philip Thomas of Salinas, CA. He was preceded in death by his parents; infant son: Randall David Root and infant great-grandson: Damian Joseph Hanson.
Pallbearers for the service are: ___. Darlene Hennen will serve as organist for the service with Holly Giese serving as soloist. Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in charge of the arrangements.
Military honors will be provided by the Morris American Legion, VFW and Am Vets.