James Bennett Biss

James Bennett Biss, 78, passed away Saturday, May 13, 2023 at Prairie Ridge Hospital in Elbow Lake, MN.

A Memorial Mass was held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, May 19, 2023, at St. Olaf Catholic Church, Elbow Lake. Visitation was Thursday, May 18 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., with a prayer service at 5 p.m. at St. Olaf’s Church. Burial at St. Loretto Catholic Cemetery, Elbow Lake.

Jim, the third son of Randle and Madeline Biss, was born on September 18, 1944, in Fergus Falls, MN. He was baptized and later confirmed at St. Olaf’s Catholic Church in Elbow Lake. He graduated from Elbow Lake High School in 1962. Jim worked for Jarvis’s Grocery Store and Leis Motors for several years before joining the Army Reserves.

On August 8, 1970, he married the love of his life, Sandy Hanse, in Bagley, MN. Together, they lived in the cities for several years before moving back to the family farm in Delaware Township south of Elbow Lake. For over 30 years, Jim and his family operated a 60 cow dairy and farmed the land. After he retired from dairy farming, Jim continued to farm alongside his son Scott, growing corn and soybeans.

As a child, Jim was a member of the Do and Dare 4-H Club and later served as 4-H Leader. He was active in several dairy organizations across the state and was also a lifelong member of St. Olaf’s Catholic Church where he served on the Cemetery Board, the Maintenance Committee, and the church choir.

Jim loved his family and he loved farming. A devoted brother, father, grandfather, and uncle; Jim always enjoyed a good tease, sight-seeing adventure, or fix-it project – the things he could accomplish with twine string, hose clamps, and a roll of duct tape!  For his grandchildren, he had a seemingly endless pocketful of gum to share. 

Jim is survived by his wife Sandy; children Joanna Ferraro, Scott (Mareen) Biss, and Becky (Trevor) Muchow; grandchildren Jacob (Samantha), Bailey, Theo, Tyler, Aaron, Brenden; great-grandchildren Lucas, Bree, Cameron; siblings Sharon (Jim) Holmgren, Teresa, Tom; brother-in-law Mike (Jeannie) Hanse; and many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents Randle and Madeline Biss; parents-in-law Bob and Lila Hanse; brothers Rick and Ron; nephew Brad; sister-in-law Mona; and great-great nephew TJ. 

Erickson-Smith Funeral Home of Elbow Lake.