James F. West, age 76, died on Monday, November 6th at his home, after a courageous battle with cancer.

He was born in Worthington, MN on May 14, 1941 to Theron and Nellie West, the youngest of five children. He spent most of his childhood in Boyd, MN and graduated from New Richmond High School in 1959. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1961 and was stationed in Germany as a Cryptographer Specialist.

James married Kathleen Solem on September 3rd, 1967 and they raised two children, Paula and James Jr., on a dairy farm in rural Osceola, WI. While farming he started a computer programming business tailored to dairy farming. In 1987 he returned to the heating and air conditioning business, in which he had worked before farming. In 1991 he bought Scandia Heating and Air Conditioning and ran until he retired in 2005. He enjoyed micro-farming with his lawn and flower beds at home and proudly earned a Master Gardener title.

Jim and Kathy became avid travelers and enjoyed their adventures together. They visited much of the United States and Europe and spent the winter months in Texas for the past 6 years.

He loved puzzles of all kinds and enjoyed spending time with his family. He especially liked playing (and usually beating) his grandchildren at any type of game he could get them to play with him.
James is proceeded in death by his parents, grandparents, sisters, Shirley West, Myrna (Eugene) Solem, Caroline (Selvin) Lien and a brother, Dale West. He is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Kathy; a daughter, Paula Stevens; a son, Jim Jr. (Robin) West; grandchildren, Karleen, Mollina, and Jorgen Stevens, Logan West, and extended family and friends.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 PM on Wednesday at the Williamson~White Funeral Home in Amery and one hour prior to the service on Thursday at the church. Funeral Services will be held at 11 AM on Thursday, November 9, 2017 at Trinity Lutheran Church with Pastor Lori Peper officiating. Burial will be held at the Trinity Lutheran Cemetery following the service on Thursday.