James Harwood

James R. “Jim” Harwood, age 85, of Danbury, passed away Tuesday, July 1, 2014. Jim was born in Spring Valley, MN, on November 19, 1928, a son of the late Elmo and Edith (Carey) Harwood. He attended public schools and graduated from Spring Valley High School. Much of his adult life was spent in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. He was a heavy equipment operator and operating engineer, employed by the city of Richfield, MN. On October 8, 1991, Jim married Rosalie D. “Rose” Gardner in Richfield. For the past twenty-three years, they have lived in the home Jim built in the Town of Oakland. They have spent the winters in the Llano Grande/Mercedes area in Texas. Jim was a friendly person with a great sense of humor, and was a man of many talents. He was an excellent carpenter, as is evident in the house he built. He had a penchant for things that were mechanical, and loved to tinker. He was an excellent golfer, and was a teaching professional at various golf courses in the area and in Texas. In his younger years, Jim was a great bow hunter of deer, bear, and turkey. In his latter years, he loved to go fishing. Jim was also a great singer. He sang in churches and also with men’s barbershop choruses. He was a long time member of The Barbershop Harmony Society, historically named the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America, Inc. (SPEBSQSA). Jim was also a member of the Free & Accepted Masons. Jim is survived by his wife, Rose; four daughters: Elaine (Bob), Karen, Diane (Kevin), and Jordan; a son, Robert; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; as well as nieces and nephews. He is also survived by a sister, Arlene; and a sister-in-law, Helen. He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Kenneth; and two brothers, Leon and Ronald. A memorial service honoring the life of James R. “Jim” Harwood will be conducted at 1:30 pm (visitation 1:00 to 1:30 pm) on Monday, July 7, 2014, at Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home, Webster, with Chaplain Jim Stroebe officiating. Arrangements have been entrusted to Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Webster, WI. Online condolences may be expressed at www.swedberg-taylor.com.