James Henry Chelgren

St. Paul, MN - Golden Valley, MN

Jim Chelgren, servant of His Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and brother, 39-year employee of 3M company, lived a full life of 91 years. He walked this earth with a spring in his step, a sparkle in his eye, and a whistle while he worked.

He is survived by his wife, Janet Leslie (Lange) of Golden Valley, MN; children, Susan Peterson (Rev. Karl) of Mexico City, MX; Rev. Lynn Black (Rev. Jon) of McPherson, KS, Brent Chelgren (Cindy) of Edina, MN, eleven grandchildren: Kersten Kohnen ( Michael), Micah Black (Jordan), Anders Chelgren (Ellice), Molly Black, Zachary Peterson, Britta Chelgren, Mattea Black, Jonathan Peterson, Lexi, Ty, and Alex Stanton, and great granddaughter Ellie Kohnen. He is also survived by his younger brother Richard Chelgren (Sandy) of Shoreview, MN, brother-in-law and sister-in-law Roger and Carol Lange, and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by four sisters and two brothers.

James Henry (Jim) was born on February 20, 1930, to Paul and Agnes Chelgren, the fifth of eight siblings. He graduated from Johnson High School in 1948 and Rasmussen Business School in 1950. To support his widowed mother and siblings, Jim worked at Lingel’s Grocery store starting at age 14. From there he worked at Liberty Bank and then began his career at 3M company in 1951. Jim spent his career working at 3M’s Treasury Division in a variety of finance and banking roles.

Jim was an avid bowler, golfer, and table tennis player. He was also a casual investor in the east side “Young Men’s Investment Club”. As a young man he frequented events at the YMCA which included dances sponsored by “The Club with No Name” where he first met Janet Leslie Lange (Jan), the love of his life and wife of 62 years.

Jim and Jan were married Sept. 20, 1958, and raised their family in the Battle Creek neighborhood of St. Paul, MN. The family attended First Covenant Church in St. Paul where Jim faithfully served as church treasurer, Sunday School superintendent, usher, and chair of the deacon board.

After retirement, Jim and Jan served meals weekly at the Salvation Army, attended many elder hostels , enjoyed church travel club, and visited their children and grandchildren who lived out of state and country. Jim also volunteered at St. Paul Council of Churches, First Covenant St. Paul, and Covenant Village of Golden Valley where he and Jan have lived for the past 14 years. He gave of his time generously setting up computer accounting systems, repairing church property with the retired men, tutoring Farnsworth Elementary students, and calling on shut ins. Each season of life was defined by how he could serve others and his Lord Jesus Christ.

A funeral service has been set for Monday July 19 at 11:00am at First Covenant Church, 1280 Arcade St., St. Paul, with prior visitation at 10:00am at the church or Sunday evening visitation at Wulff Funeral Home (1485 White Bear Avenue, St. Paul) from 5:00 to 7:00pm. Memorials in lieu of flowers may be sent to First Covenant Church of St. Paul, General Ministry Fund.