James "Jim" Dennis Conklin

James Dennis Conklin May 4, 1961 – February 13, 2019                     James Dennis Conklin, (Jim), was born in Washburn, WI, on May 4, 1961 to Janet Bratley Conklin and Robert Glen Conklin.  He was baptized as an infant at Christ Lutheran Church in Washburn, WI.  Jim graduated from Sebeka High School in 1979.  Jim passed away on February 13, 2019, in his home as a result of a house fire.                  After graduating from high school, Jim went immediately into the workforce where he was a valued and respected employee.  He was a hard-working man who grew up on his parent’s hobby farm, where he learned his strong work ethic.  He grew up in Sebeka and became best friends with his older brother, Mark.  Those two were always together and seemed more like twins.  What one didn’t think of, the other would.  Jim’s immediate family moved to other parts of the state and his parents moved back to Washburn, WI, but Jim stayed in the area that he grew up in and that he loved.  He loved the small town and the friends and coworkers that he met.  Jim was a valued friend to all who knew him.  He worked many jobs in the area, including the Menahga Co-op, Menahga Lumber Company, manager of a turkey farm, and most recently at Team Industries in Park Rapids, MN.                 Jim is survived by his mother Janet Conklin, of Hutchinson, MN, brother Robert Conklin, of Chicago, IL, sisters Julie Olson and Cheryl Juarez of Hutchinson, MN, and Christine (Shawn) Zinski of Mt. Pleasant, WI.  He is also survived by his nieces Lindsay Olson and Taylor Conklin, and nephews Jeremy Gettel, Tyler and Timothy Zinski, Mark Juarez, and great-nephew Jon Gettel, as well as aunts, uncles, and cousins.  Jim is also survived by his extended family of friends in the Menahga and Sebeka area.                  Jim was preceded in death by his father, Robert Glen Conklin, his brother Mark Richard Conklin, his grandparents Henry and Eleanor Bratley, and Lily Duell and Alton Conklin.                Blessed be Jim’s memory.