James "Jim" Michael Loe

James “Jim” Michael Loe, age 84, died peacefully at Avantara Norton in Sioux Falls, SD, on Friday, March 22, 2024. Jim was born on November 24, 1939, to Ole and Ida Loe in Hudson, SD.

Jim grew up in Sioux Falls and Walker, MN where his parents operated Loe’s Resort. He graduated from Walker High School in 1958 and then attended Dunwoody Institute in Sioux Falls to become a diesel mechanic. In 1964, he married Barbara Hink. They lived in Sioux Falls, SD and had three kids. In 1978, the family moved to Walker, MN where they ran Bayside Resort on Leech Lake.

Standing at 6’6” and almost 300 pounds, he was known to everyone as Big Jim. Even though he had an intimidating presence, he was inviting and kind to all. He saw the good in people and was willing to help anyone, especially family and friends. Jim was an animal lover and adopted several cats throughout his life, who you could usually find sleeping in his lap at the end of the day.

Jim was good with his hands and could fix or build almost anything. He was a hard worker, and throughout his life built two houses for himself and another for his daughter, Chris, all from the ground up. He would recruit his kids and friends to help, but otherwise the entire building process from framing, electrical, and plumbing would be done with his hands. Also, as a skilled mechanic, he was the man who people would turn to for all their car and truck problems. If you had something that needed to be fixed, you knew who to call.

In 1986, Jim and Barb divorced, but both stayed in Walker to help raise their kids. Jim worked at the Cass County Highway Department until his retirement, moving back to Sioux Falls in 2005 to be closer to his grandkids. Jim loved to travel and drove across the country each year to visit his son Mike in Oregon, cousins in California and Washington, and sightsee along the way.

Jim loved his family and friends dearly and always looked forward to family traditions and holidays when he would decorate his home and cook a huge meal. If you were lucky, he would also break out his famous scalloped corn.

Jim is survived by his kids, Christine Loe of Walker, Tammy (Joe) Becker-Egger of Sioux Falls, and Michael (Kelli) Loe of Silver Spring, MD; 3 grandsons, Dayton Becker, Jacob Becker, and Cody Egger; former wife, Barb Johnson; numerous relatives and friends.

In lieu of flowers those wishing to honor Jim’s memory may make a donation to the Sioux Falls Christian Youth Activity League https://cyalrebels.com, a not-for-profit youth sports organization. Jim loved watching his grandsons play sports and each of them participated in team leagues organized by CYAL.

A Celebration of Jim’s Life will be Saturday, April 27th, 2024, from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., at Northern Peace Funeral Home in Walker, MN. Pastor Matthew McWaters will officiate.  Honorary urn bearers are Joe Egger, Dennis Black, Dayton Becker, Charlie Runyan, Jacob Becker, Sig Langrud, Cody Egger, and John Elsenpeter. Inurnment will be in Evergreen Cemetery in Walker, MN, following his service.

Jim’s care has been entrusted to Northern Peace Funeral Home of Walker, MN. Online condolences for the family may be left at www.northernpeace.com

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