Jim Lien

Jim Lien, age 89, of Erskine, MN, passed away on Tuesday, January 2^nd, at McIntosh Senior Living in McIntosh, MN. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 9^th, at Grace Lutheran Church in Erskine with the Rev. Pam Thorson officiating. Interment will be in Fairview Cemetery, rural Erskine. Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the service on Tuesday at the church. Arrangements are with Carlin Family Funeral Service of Erskine and messages of condolence may be shared at www.carlinfuneral.com.

James Harlan Lien was born on November 15, 1934 in Pine Lake Township, Clearwater County, Minnesota to parents Julian and Myrtle (Johnson) Lien. He was baptized and confirmed at the Samhold Lutheran Church in Gonvick.  He grew up on the family farm and graduated from Gonvick High School in 1952.

He met the love of his life, Darlene Wagner, during high school, and they married on March 27, 1954 at the Wagner farm. After their marriage, they lived in Gonvick and Silver Bay, Minnesota working on the Ore Boats before returning to Gonvick in 1959. They moved to Erskine in 1961 when Jim took a job with Steenerson Lumber Company in which he later owned and operated, and with his wife owned and operated Darlene’s Beauty Salon.

After his retirement he worked for Howes TV, Pioneer Golf Course and Erskine Travel Center, where he was well known for his strong work ethic and kind generosity to everyone.

James was a faithful and active member of the Grace Lutheran Church in Erskine serving on the Board and as a Trustee, and was also active in the Erskine community serving on the Fire Department as a fireman and fire chief, Lions and Commercial Club for many years.

His greatest joy in his life came with spending time with his family and friends and later years mowing his lawn.   He was a loving husband, father, brother, grandfather and great-grandfather and will be greatly missed by all.

He is survived by his four children, Becki (Russ) Haugen of Erskine, Stuart (Kathryn) Lien of Bagley, MN, Steve (Jenny) Lien of Greencastle, IN, and Jeffrey (Mary) Lien of Walker, MN; 16 grandchildren, Shannon (Jason) Svalen, Jenny Haugen, Kelsey (Justin) Knott, Ashley (Jonathan) Gehrke, Jordan (Forrest) Anderson, Isaac (Candace) Lien, Lauren Lien (Tory Syverson), Faith (Justin) Juve, Hannah (Mark) Sylstad, Zachary Lien, Matthew (Kayley) Lien, Christa (Luke) Bailey, Julia (Craig) Reneson, Savahanna (Pat) Wagner, Chris (Meaghan) Lien, and Nathaniel (Kristen) Lien.

28 great grandchildren, Chase, Sydney, and Cameron Svalen; Rylee, Presley, and Jayden Haugen; Lillie, Emersen, and Bridger Knott; Josiah, Elijah, and Micah Gehrke; Vivian Anderson, Maci Syverson and McCoy Juve; Estelle and Theodore Lien, Emelia and Olivia Lien, Jonah & James Bailey, Isak Sylstad, Fitzpatrick and Fiona Wagner, Emma and Audrey Lien, Harlen and Eliza Lien.

Also surviving is his sister Lavone Rossell of Gonvick, sisters-in-law, Phyllis Wagner of Fosston, MN and Signe Wagner of Berner.

He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, in-laws Earl and Beatrice Wagner, brothers-in-law Bill Rossell, Duane and Art Wagner, sisters-in-laws Joyce Wagner, Doris Belows and Arylss Torgerson.